Mexico is reportedly considering shutting down or restricting its border with the U.S. amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak.
Mexican health officials on Friday said that given the numbers, they are worried that the U.S. could bring the virus over and infect its cities.
“If it were technically necessary to consider mechanisms of restriction or stronger surveillance we would have to take into account not that Mexico would bring the virus to the United States, rather that the United States could bring it here,” Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said at a press conference.
According to Reuters, the Deputy Health Minister did not provide further details as to what "mechanisms of restriction" the country would consider.
"A health ministry spokeswoman said she had no further information," Reuters also noted.
There are currently 41 confirmed cases in Mexico with no deaths. There are approximately 3,010 cases in the U.S. with 61 reported deaths.
However, Mexico has been taking a hands-off approach in dealing with the global pandemic. So far, the country has only suggested organizations and businesses cancel “non-essential services.”
The low number of confirmed cases in Mexico has also drawn skepticism as doctors express worry over the lack of diagnostic testing in the country.
Dr. Francisco Moreno Sánchez, the head of internal medicine at ABC Hospital in Mexico City, told local media last week that he fears there are “many more cases” circulating “undetected," Global News reported.
Also, at the time of the Friday press conference, there were only 26 confirmed cases. The total went up from 26 to 41 on Saturday.
President Trump over the weekend tweeted that if it were not for America’s “very strong border policy,” the number of deaths from the virus “would be many times higher.”
He added on Sunday that it was a “great decision to close our China, and other borders early.”
“Saved many lives!” the President tweeted.