Argentina's Fernandez says 'horizon' in sight as COVID-19 cases appear to slow

Health workers lie on the floor while holding photographs of colleagues who died during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during a tribute in honour of their fellow workers and in protest against their working conditions, in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 2, 2020. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto

Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez said on Tuesday the "horizon" was starting to come into sight as the country battles against the coronavirus pandemic, with some signs the peak in cases may be over after rising since the outbreak began.

The South American country imposed a strict lockdown in March, which initially slowed the spread of COVID-19 infections, but as restrictions were eased cases climbed rapidly above 1 million with one of highest testing positive rates in the world.

However, a rolling seven-day average of new cases has dipped significantly since hitting a high on Oct. 21, raising hopes the peak may finally be over for the country, which has 1.18 million confirmed cases and 31,623 deaths.

Health workers hold photographs of colleagues who died during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during a tribute in honour of their fellow workers and in protest against their working conditions, in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 2, 2020. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto

"We've been very concerned to see where the horizon was. The horizon is now starting to come into sight and that is why we have to be optimistic, and that is why we have to be calmer than ever," Fernandez told reporters.

"We have never been this close to ending the disease."

A life size human skeleton model stands on a street during a tribute in honour of health workers who died during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and a protest against their working conditions, in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 2, 2020. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto

(For graphic on Argentina: past the peak? : https://graphics.reuters.com/HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/ARGENTINA/azgpojkdavd/chart.png)

Argentina's government said on Monday the country was expecting to receive at least 10 million doses of Russia's main experimental COVID-19 vaccine, known as Sputnik V, between December and January.

Citing criticism from some fronts against using a Russian-made vaccine, Fernandez said the "cold war was over" and pointed to the country's technological successes.

Health workers walk with a national flag during a tribute in honour of colleagues who died during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and a protest against their working conditions, in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 2, 2020. The signs read (LtoR) "Professional nursing," "Vocation does not justify exploitation" and "Nursing is in mourning." REUTERS/Matias Baglietto

"We do not ask anyone what ideology the vaccine has, what we ask is if it saves the lives of Argentines, and if it saves the lives of Argentines go and buy it and inject it," he said.

"The truth is that I don't care who is producing it."

A health worker puts a cross on a life size human skeleton model during a tribute in honour of colleagues who died during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and in protest against their working conditions, in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 2, 2020. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

(Reporting by Reuters TV; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Tom Brown)