RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Mato Grosso Health Secretary announced over the weekend that the local hospital network has collapsed and called for help from colleagues in other states to assist Covid-19 patients.
Gilberto Figueiredo stated by messages that he is in need of ICU beds. However, the reply was discouraging. Most states said they have no way of helping.
“We have collapsed. Help. I need help. Can any state help with ICU spaces?”, asked the secretary to colleagues.
The answers were all along the same lines. Amapá said it hit 90% occupancy on Sunday. Tocantins said it reached 99%. Rio Grande do Sul declared that it is full. Mato Grosso do Sul, likewise, at 94%. Goiás also reported that it would have no openings.
Before this time, the worst of the pandemic so far, states had been able to help each other, transferring and receiving patients. This is no longer the case.