RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – For the second time, São Paulo recorded a social isolation rate of only 46 percent. It is the lowest level since the quarantine was implemented and this rate had already been reached once, on Thursday, April 30th.
The rate was recorded on the same day that the governor of São Paulo, João Doria, announced the statewide extension of quarantine.
The rate released by the state government on Saturday, May 9th, is related to Friday, May 8th, and is based on cell phone users’ data from the state’s 104 cities with over 70,000 inhabitants.
The measure will be in effect until May 31st and was taken considering the low rates of social isolation and also the pressure on the public health system. Dória classified the scenario as “desolating”.
The State of São Paulo has been recording rates below 50 percent (this number only rises on weekends). The government’s goal is to reach 60 percent while the ideal is 70 percent in order to prevent the health system from collapsing. However, few municipalities achieve this goal.
In São Paulo’s capital, also facing low isolation rates, Mayor Bruno Covas ordered a rotation system that establishes a greater restriction of traffic in the city and which becomes effective as of Monday, May 11th.
With the measure, the city intends to remove 50 percent of cars from the streets. Cars with plates ending in an even number will only be able to travel on even days, while cars with plates ending in an odd number, can only travel on odd days.
The epicenter of the disease in the country, the state of São Paulo accounts for the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths. According to the State Health Secretariat’s balance on Friday, there are now 3,416 deaths and 41,830 confirmed cases.
In Greater São Paulo, the occupation of the ICU beds stands at 89.6 percent. In the State, it is 70 percent.
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