A study that may make it possible to release the use of a mask in Brazil should be completed by this Friday (12). Although Rio de Janeiro and the Federal District have already released them in the open, most states and municipalities maintain the recommendation for protective equipment.
The analysis was commissioned by President Jair Bolsonaro (non-party) to the Ministry of Health in June. The document should bring guidelines based on vaccination coverage, disease transmissibility and bed occupancy in the country.
For the infectologist and member of the Brazilian Society of Infectology, Marcelo Otsuka, a more accurate diagnosis and better criteria are needed before removing the masks. He points out, for example, that observing bed occupancy and death rates is the end of the process and an earlier measurement would be ideal, based on extensive testing and tracking of contacts.
“When we talk about death and hospitalization, we are talking about the end, but I need to monitor this before these things happen. And how do I get it? It is seeing baud rate. And to see the rate, I have to test it. We’ve still tested very little.”
Otsuka explains that although vaccination coverage is high and results in an improvement in the pandemic, the percentage of positive tests in Brazil is high compared to other places in the world.
“Brazil has a positive rate in exams that is around 35 to 40 for every 100 exams performed. Countries like India are seven positives for every 100 performed. United States even less. Some countries in Europe get one or two positives out of 100. What does that mean? It means that when you identify a patient, you go after the contacts, you investigate the contacts to see if there is someone infected who can transmit the disease.”
The infectious disease specialist also said about children under 12 who so far have not been included in the campaign against Covid-19 of the National Immunization Program.
“We also see children dying, children in ICU and with serious conditions and they haven’t been vaccinated yet. We don’t even have authorized studies in Brazil that allow for the vaccination of children.”
To illustrate the need for maintenance of barrier equipment, he commented on a study carried out in Ohio, in the United States, in which children and adolescents from districts where there was no obligation were twice as infected when compared to places where everyone should. go to schools wearing the masks.
Photos – Vaccination in Brazil and worldwide
Reference: CNN Brasil
