Dozen more virus deaths in Juarez; actual number of infected in Chihuahua state may be 10,000

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico -- Chihuahua state health officials on Wednesday reported a dozen new deaths in the city of Juarez, accounting for 12 of the state's additional 13 fatalities.

When it comes to new infections, Juarez also accounted for 49 of the state's 51 additional cases on Wednesday.

The total number of virus cases in Juarez now stands at 1,330, with 294 deaths. In the state of Chihuahua, there are 2,140 cumulative cases and 362 deaths.

But Mexico's medical director for the northern region, Arturo Valenzuela Zorrilla, indicated the actual number of those infected in Chihuahua state could be 10,000 or more based on modeling data.

Mexico's virus testing levels are some of the lowest in the developed world, which may explain the significant difference between the official numbers and what the modeling shows.

Zorrilla also noted that there continues to be an upward trend in confirmed cases per day in the region, and he urged residents to continue to follow social distancing, face covering and hand washing measures to avoid becoming infected.