Four new cases of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Panama were reported by the Ministry of Health (Minsa) on Wednesday, March 1, bringing the total registered in two days to 12 as malls and restaurants begin to feel the pinch.

The new cases include a staff member of the presidency and a 33 year- old -woman who is an outpatient and two hospitalized women one 57 and the other 58.

 Minsa also reported that two other officials of the Presidency were subjected to clinical and laboratory analysis, which came out negative.

“As a preventive measure, the Ministry of the Presidency is carrying out the sieve test (temperature taking) to all officials and personnel arriving at the institution; We also recommend that other institutions and companies that receive a daily influx of public apply similar measures, ”said a  Minsa statement.

Meanwhile, President Laurentino Cortizo is attending his office on a regular basis, said the Ministry of the Presidency.