Carnival in Rio de Janeiro should take place in February with half the population already vaccinated with the third dose against Covid-19, a proportion that would reflect 70% of the city’s inhabitants. The projection was made by the municipal secretary of Health, Daniel Soranz, during the last meeting of the Special Committee of the City Council that debates the 2022 edition of the party.
At the meeting, which took place on Friday (19), the secretary celebrated the numbers of the immunization campaign carried out in the city which, at this time, 99.9% of the population over 18 with the first dose or single application of the vaccine, the equivalent to 87.5% of the total population. Soranz also highlighted that there are 38 people hospitalized with Covid-19 in the SUS network in the capital, which corresponds to 0.5% of the occupation.
“In addition to the coverage we already have today, the excellent indicators, we will have additional coverage of the booster dose that few countries in the world have, and that few countries in the world had when they released all activities. The Municipal Health Department is very confident at this epidemiological moment. We can say that, at this moment, Covid-19 is controlled in Rio de Janeiro”, he stated.
The statement took place in the first block of the discussion, focused on the health safety of the party which, due to the pandemic, did not occur in 2021. The secretary also highlighted that the current situation allows the city to continue the resumption of activities, in search of a return from the traditional routine.
“We have ideal conditions for resuming activities. Any change, increase in the number of cases or evidence that the virus has crossed the vaccine barrier, we will be the first to notify and protect our population. There is sanitary security for the realization of Carnival and for New Year’s Eve”, said the secretary.
In October, a joint recommendation from Fiocruz and UFRJ was presented, with guidelines for carrying out the carnival. So far, only one has not been reached: the vaccination rate in Brazil, in the state of Rio de Janeiro and in the capital would need to be above 80% of the total population. A level that authorities believe will be reached by the end of February.
This was the seventh and last meeting of the commission, chaired by councilor Tarcísio Motta (PSOL). The collegiate intends to present its report on November 6th. The 2022 Carnival will be held from February 26th to March 1st.
Reference: CNN Brasil
