Despite sharing a border with Brazil—the country which turned Latin America into the new epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020—Uruguay initially stood out for its successful pandemic response. During the first year, the country maintained remarkably low mortality rates, even recording a mortality deficit compared to the previous years. While this success drew international attention, less is known about what happened in the following years, when mortality levels increased significantly in the country, despite the timely introduction of COVID-19 vaccines. 

This presentation shows how the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in Uruguay in the period 2020-2022, showing its direct and indirect effects through measures of excess mortality, COVID-19 mortality and the changes in the other causes of death. Furthermore, geographic disparities in mortality are also explored, offering a comprehensive picture of the pandemic’s impact. This case study provides valuable insights into how even initially successful pandemic responses can falter over time, and underscores the importance of sustained, science-based strategies during public health crises.

Catalina Torres is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences at Universidad de la República (Uruguay). She is also co-coordinator of the Health and Mortality Research Network of the Latin American Population Association (ALAP). Her research investigates the levels and changes in mortality in both historical as well as contemporary populations, with particular attention to causes of death and geographic variations.

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