After months of easing measures aimed at preventing transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) is once again recommending the use of masks indoors and in crowds within its space. In parallel, it reinforces the importance of frequent hand hygiene.
For UFRJ students, professors, and staff, a new testing protocol has been adopted: Anyone with respiratory symptoms or who has been in close contact with a confirmed case of covid-19 should be tested at the institution’s diagnostic screening center. These measures were developed by the Center for the Control and Studies of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (NEDIR).
Why is the UFRJ recommending COVID masks again?
“Given the observation of a moderate and gradual increase in positive cases diagnosed in CTD/NEEDIER and the concern about a new wave of COVID-19, a fact already observed in other countries, we consider it prudent to alert the social body of the university and recommend the appropriate use of masks in environments closed and in contexts of human congestion, as well as frequent hand hygiene,” says a technical note signed by Terezinha Marta Castiñeiras, of the Faculty of Medicine of the UFRJ.
New global wave of covid-19
To understand this, the note refers to the increase in COVID-19 cases found by the latest WHO report. Released last Monday (14), the document indicates about 1.5 million new cases of coronavirus, between July 10 and August 6. The value represents an 80% increase over the previous period, driven by the critical situation in East Asia and Oceania. However, over the same period, deaths decreased by 57%.
Despite the World Health Organization’s diagnosis of an increase in global cases of covid-19, the entity states that this number can be underestimated. That’s because the number of tests and reports about the disease is gradually decreasing. Of the 234 countries, only 103 (44%) have updated their case numbers in the last 28 days.
In a recent study, British researcher Christina Pagel warned of the arrival of a new wave of Covid-19 in the United Kingdom. In addition to the trend of increasing cases, it indicates the evolution of the coronavirus and the risk of new variants, such as BA.6. This is considered risky by professionals, but is geographically limited to Denmark and Israel. However, some experts are already in favor of the heavy use of masks.
How is covid-19 in Rio?
Despite the new global wave of COVID-19 cases, the regional data of the city of Rio de Janeiro do not, so far, point to the same scenario. According to an investigation by Agência Brasil, on August 8 the moving average of new daily cases of covid-19 was 16, while on July 8 it was 36. On June 8 the average was 30. Data from the past few days.
As indicated by the State Department of Health (SES-RJ), in the last four pandemic weeks – as of Wednesday (16) – 493 cases of coronavirus were reported in the state, with 12 deaths. In the past week, there have been no confirmed deaths yet.
Regardless of new cases, it must be emphasized that booster doses of the covid-19 vaccine are widely available to the entire population. To receive the vaccine in a primary health care unit (UBS), you only need a 4-month interval between doses and take your vaccination card along with a photo ID.
source: Brazil agency that it UFRJ
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