Oxford Survey Shows Rio Unprepared to Relax Social Isolation

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A study by scientists from the British University of Oxford, one of the most prestigious in the world, shows that the city of Rio was not ready to start social relaxation measures against the Coronavirus.

According to the study, the lack of sufficient testing, the absence of a virus screening program, and insufficient information on how the population should proceed in case they show symptoms of Covid-19 or come into contact with someone infected, are the main factors for the relaxation to prove a failure.

The researchers state that, in addition to Rio, the cities of São Paulo, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, Goiânia, Manaus, and Porto Alegre also failed to meet the W.H.O. criteria, although policies to tackle the disease have reduced the population’s movement in these municipalities.

In addition, a telephone survey with 1,654 people was conducted between May 6th and 27th to assess people’s perception of the Covid-19 crisis and what needs to be done.

The British university researchers also considered mobility data based on mobile phone displacement records for the study.

The survey provides guidelines for public policies to be implemented by cities like Rio. Among them is to improve public campaigns by encouraging self-isolation of people who eithre have symptoms of Covid-19 or are living with others who may be infected.

The Oxford survey also advised that the emergency aid granted by the federal government to low-income citizens – or those who have lost their source of income – be extended. Furthermore, the survey states that increasing the number of tests for the disease in the main cities of Brazil is a pressing need.

Rio currently counts 5,875 deaths and 50,922 confirmed Coronavirus cases.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error