Mayor Crivella Extends Social Isolation in Rio de Janeiro into May

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The social isolation measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in the city of Rio de Janeiro, which would end on Thursday, April 30th, will be extended to the month of May, according to the city’s Mayor, Marcelo Crivella.

The decree banning schools in the municipal network and part of commerce has been in effect since March 24th and will be maintained for a period not yet reported by Crivella.

Asked about how long the decree of isolation would be extended, the Mayor did not set a date. Rather, he said isolation will only start to be relaxed when the incidence of covid-19 cases starts to drop in the city. For now, the case curve is growing.

“With the field hospital (at Riocentro, which will open at partial capacity next Friday) in full operation, I believe our (contamination) curves will drop. Once the curves drop, activities will return to normal. But it won’t be now, on April 30th. We will renew the deadline and remain in social isolation,” Crivella said on Tuesday, April 28th.

According to Beatriz Busch, the municipal Health Secretary, occupation of ICU beds reserved for covid-19 patients in the municipal network ranged from 93 to 95 percent on Tuesday. The field hospital of Riocentro, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro, will be inaugurated with 100 beds, 20 of which in ICU, according to Crivella.

Source: Estadão Conteúdo