Five years have passed since the world faced the upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the repercussions on health systems, economies, and public wellness continue to be felt deeply. Particularly insightful is how austerity measures have significantly influenced Mexico’s preparations and responses to this health crisis.
When the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed on February 28, 2020, involving a man who had recently traveled to Italy, few could predict the devastating toll it would take. Just shy of two weeks later, on March 8, as the World Health Organization prepared to declare South America’s impending pandemic status, Mexico reported 45 cases. This early sign of the virus's spread was just the beginning of what would become a national and global crisis.
By July 2020, Mexico recorded its first peak, reporting 50,200 cases and over 5,000 deaths, marking the early days as particularly severe. Rosa María Wong Chew, the head of the Clinical Research Subdivision at UNAM's Faculty of Medicine, chronicled the rising contagion rates and explained, “A más contagios, mayor replicación del virus y, con ello, mayor capacidad de mutar,” which translates to “With more infections, greater replication of the virus and, with it, greater capacity to mutate.” This mutation capability was underscored as the months progressed, introducing various strains and amplifying the lethality of the virus across Mexico.
Wong elaborated on the emergence of the B.1.1.519 variant, unique to Mexico, which postulated drastic consequences with mortality rates of 20%. This variant drew attention as it surged amid the dire situation, underscoring the inadequate protective measures under austerity policies faced by the Mexican government. With initial strategies focusing heavily on social distancing and confinement, Wong remarked, “En un inicio se pensaba que podía contenerse con distanciamiento social,” noting how such measures were not sustainable due to economic conditions. By June 2020, many residents found it impossible to remain home, eventually leading to more concentrated transmission.
Despite efforts to control the outbreak, no strategy proved adequate without the financial backing needed for thorough healthcare provisions. Wong noted, “Por primera vez en la historia se desarrolló una vacuna en tiempo récord,” emphasizing the marvel of rapid vaccine development which saw Pfizer's mRNA vaccine available merely ten months after the crisis caught fire. Vaccination efforts began on January 2021, with priority targeting health workers and those over 60 years of age. This campaign brought about noticeable declines in mortality.
The evolution of strains like Delta and Omicron showcased how the virus's continuous mutation affected Mexican populations. The Delta variant reached prevalence rates of 87% just two months after its arrival, inciting dramatic surges of up to 135,000 cases reported weekly by August 2021. Wong connected this rise to increasing mortality, linking the dire spike to often-overlooked asymptomatic cases, which frequently escaped immediate detection.
By December 2021, Omicron caused another exponential surge, tripling infection rates and resulting in 407,000 confirmed cases over the following weeks. Wong explained how its highly transmissible nature made it especially difficult to control, leading to record numbers of hospitalizations and fatalities. “De todos los que muestreamos, el 10 % eran positivos,” she revealed. This highlights the importance of knowing how the nature of the virus complicates public health management.
Through to 2023, the Mexican government declared the end of the Covid-19 pandemic after the WHO downgraded its emergency status. Even with improvements, experts caution against dropping all precautions. Latest epidemiological reports from early 2025 indicate notable gatherings of cases primarily among those aged one to four years and between 20 to 79 years.
Now, as we reflect on Mexico’s struggles against the pandemic, it becomes clear how austerity created limitations. Current strains, such as KP.3.1.1, and XEC echo the earlier challenges faced, with 384 cases and eight deaths accumulated just weeks ago. Given the persistent mutations, Wong asserts the need for continuous public health vigilance: "a pesar de que los casos y la mortalidad se mantienen a la baja, es importante que las personas con más riesgo... se pongan vacunas actualizadas”.
While significant strides have been made since the initial outbreak—marked by collaborative efforts across universities, companies, and the government—these endeavors highlight the necessity of preparedness and feedback from past experiences. It is not yet time to relent; rather, it is apparent from the response to Covid-19 how much remains to be done.