Rio Governor Announces Mass Testing, Discards Lockdown: ‘We Won’t Close Anything”

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The interim governor of Rio de Janeiro, Claudio Castro, announced on Tuesday, Novmber 24th, that the state will implement mass testing to fight the increase in the number of Covid-19 deaths and cases. Despite the growth, Castro discarded implementing more restrictive measures in the state – the so-called lockdown – for the time being and pledged to intensify inspection.

The acting governor’s announcement comes at a time when Rio de Janeiro is recording an increase in the number of Covid deaths and cases in the state. The rolling average of deaths on Tuesday showed a variation of 216% compared to the two preceding weeks. It is the 8th consecutive day of growth.

The rolling average of cases is also on the rise, with a variation of 44%. The number of Covid hospitalizations also increased over the past ten days – from 878 to 1,051, a 26% rise.

The city’s National Health System (SUS) hospital network, which includes beds in municipal, state and federal facilities, reached an intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy rate of 93%.

At the press conference, Governor Castro also stated that later this week he will announce which facilities will provide early diagnosis of the disease, with PCR and imagery exams. The measures will be effective for 15 days, according to the governor.

Despite the statements and the increase in the number of deaths and cases, the state chief executive discarded claims that Rio de Janeiro is experiencing a “second wave” of Covid and promised that inspections will be more strict against those who fail to comply with the sanitary measures.

After a meeting with trade and other services sectors on Tuesday, Castro assured that activities will not be closed. “We cannot be irresponsible to brand Rio as a victim of a second wave. We also had the municipal elections, which may have been instrumental in increasing the numbers,” he said.

Castro also announced 400 more beds for patients infected with the novel coronavirus.

According to yesterday’s announcement there will be three main government measures:

• Increasing inspection with the help of city halls; mass testing; and early diagnosis – locations of posts will be announced on Thursday.

Also on Tuesday, Castro will meet with Rio Metropolitan Region mayors to discuss how to enhance inspection of crowded sites, potential Covid vectors.

“My proposal, in this meeting with the mayors, is to improve this inspection issue. We are sure that by increasing inspection, increasing the number of places and with the help of those who are here, the numbers will decrease considerably.”

Castro also announced that the Health Secretariat is now planning to start the state immunization plan with the introduction of the vaccine. The state will buy everything that is necessary so that it does not have to buy later, as an emergency, or overpriced,” the governor detailed.

State Health Secretary Carlos Alberto Chaves added that mass testing should begin at the Nova Iguaçu modular hospital in the Baixada Fluminense suburbs surrounding the capital.

“It will be testing and X-rays, and hospitalization if there is any pathology. (…) The schedule is to begin within 48 hours,” explained Chaves.

In addition to the Nova Iguaçu modular hospital, Chaves said that other units – though not specifying which – could also be used to conduct tests. The Secretary also said that the state “found” 214 beds that were not being used.

Source:G1

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