The federal universities of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Santa Catarina (UFSC) and Lavras (UFLA-MG), in addition to the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), announced the suspension of face-to-face activities until the end of January due to the increase in the number of cases of Covid-19.
Those in Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Pernambuco (UFPE), Goiás (UFG) and the Federal District (UDF) are evaluating the scenario to review the planning and should announce the decision in the coming days.
The rectory of the largest university in the country, UFRJ, claimed that the increase in cases in the capital of Rio de Janeiro was fundamental for the adoption of the measure.
According to the Municipal Health Department of Rio, the positivity rate for Covid-19 rose again in the first week of the year, reaching 44%.
“There are many students who are positive for Covid-19. It would be unfair to them to remain in the face-to-face modality, and very risky because other students could be contaminated. The new variant, unfortunately, is very transferable. Therefore, we decided to reduce the pace of the face-to-face return, provided for in our guidelines”, said in a note the dean of UFRJ, Denise Pires.
In-person activities were also interrupted at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Unirio) at least until the end of this month. Only activities considered indispensable, according to the direction, will be maintained in the face-to-face model.
The Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) defined the situation as “a scenario of explosive increase in cases”.
The Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga, commented on the position of the rectors and classified the measure as “regrettable”.
In a press conference, the minister stated that the deans “have autonomy. If we had a decision on this matter, it would be different.”
For infectious disease specialist José Pozza Junior, from Unirio, the suspension of the face-to-face calendar is very important in the strategy of containing the advance of the new variant.
“With transmission increasing day by day, public service sectors have to think of ways to try to reduce exposure to the virus. When we think about public universities, we often see those old buildings without adequate ventilation, so the suspension of classes is a way to reduce the transmission of the new variant”, commented the infectious disease doctor.
A CNN tried to contact the Education Departments of the municipality and the state to verify the planning of this year’s face-to-face school calendar, but is still waiting for a position.
Reference: CNN Brasil
