COVID-19 pandemic in Peru
The COVID-19 pandemic in Peru has resulted in 4,524,748[1] confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 220,831[1] deaths. The virus spread to Peru on 6 March 2020, when a 25-year-old man who had travelled to Spain, France, and the Czech Republic tested positive.[4] On 15 March 2020, President Martín Vizcarra announced a country-wide lockdown, closing borders, restricting domestic flights, and forbidding nonessential business operations, excluding health facilities, grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks. As of May 2023, Peru has the highest COVID-19 death rate in the world, with over 6,400 deaths per one million citizens.[5]
Timeline
March 2020
On 6 March, the first confirmed case in Peru was announced. The person was a 25-year-old Peruvian living in Lima who had recently returned from travels in France, Spain, and the Czech Republic.[4]
A total of 11 cases were confirmed on 10 March, with 7 of the new cases being related to the first known case in Peru.[14] On the following day, two new cases were registered.[15] Due to the global pandemic, the Peruvian government decided to cancel classes in public and private schools, as a precautionary measure until 30 March.[16]