Panama’s death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic climbed to 41 on Friday. April  3 with  72  people on life support in hospital intensive care units as the number of confirmed cases surged to 1,673 and projected to pass 2,000  by Easter weekend, which President Trump predicted would be celebrated with packed churches.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people continued to ignore measures to protect lives as they flouted lockdown rules with  536 people arrested in the last 24 hours.

130 people were caught violating the quarantine in Panamá Oeste, 104 in Panamá Metro and 100 in San Miguelito. The three regions with the highest cases of patients with COVID-19.

In these three regions alone, there are 1,269 cases out of the 1,673 confirmed throughout the country.

The Minister of Public Security, Juan Pino, said that the indiscipline continues and not only puts their own lives at risk but others even their own families.

“There is a global pandemic, the virus is contagious and can be deadly. We need the collaboration and solidarity of all; This Sunday we have a goal: the national stay at home, day “ he said during Friday’s press conference.

83% of deaths had a risk factor such as age, cardiovascular or lung problems.

While 203 citizens are hospitalized, 141 are in wards and another 72 are fighting for their lives in intensive care.

But not everything is bad news, because Lourdes Moreno, the head of epidemiology at MINSA, announced that 13 patients had defeated the virus.

Health Minister  Rosario Turner, again recommended the use of masks and continued compliance with the Stay at home program.

He also mentioned that some 295 people are being observed in hotels in the country.