<p>PANAMA CITY &mdash; Panama raised capacity on public transportation across the country Monday, a day after celebrating the first day in 14 months without a COVID-19 death.</p>
<p>The pause in COVID-19 deaths came despite a slight rise in confirmed infections that led to quarantines being imposed in two western provinces.</p>
<p>On Sunday, Health Minister Luis Francisco Sucre announced that there were no new deaths to announce for the previous 24-hour period. </p>
<p>The government urged people to continue to be cautious however. Neighboring Costa Rica has been experiencing its most difficult moment of the pandemic in recent weeks.</p>
<p>Panama has reported more than 370,000 confirmed infections and 6,296 COVID-19 deaths. </p>
<p>On Monday, the government said that buses could now operate at 80% capacity, but that riders would have to use face shields and masks. </p>