RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil currently records 1546 infections with the coronavirus (the cause of the Covid-19 disease), according to a report released by the Ministry of Health late on Sunday afternoon, March 22nd. The number of cases increased 37 percent in one day. The number of deaths increased from 18 to 25.
All Brazilian states now report at least one case of the disease. São Paulo has reported over 600 cases and 22 deaths from the Covid-19.
Those patients who died were over 60 years old and had some pre-existing condition, which means that they fell into the most vulnerable group. Thus, the Ministry of Health has reiterated the call for the elderly to remain at home.
The Minister of Health, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, said last Friday, March 20th, that by the end of April the Brazilian health system may collapse due to the coronavirus epidemic. Mandetta even recommended deferring the municipal elections because of the Covid-19.
“Clearly, by the end of April our health system will collapse. Collapse is when you have money, but you have nowhere to go (to hospitals),” Mandetta said, seated alongside President Jair Bolsonaro. They joined a videoconference with entrepreneurs on measures to tackle the coronavirus.
In this report, the Ministry of Health failed to update the number of community transmissions. In the report released on Thursday, March 19th, six states recorded this type of contamination, when there is no possibility of tracing its origin. According to the portfolio, this type of contagion is reported in São Paulo (state), Rio de Janeiro (capital), Santa Catarina (southern state), Rio Grande do Sul (capital), Minas Gerais (capital) and Pernambuco (state).
Closing the borders
Faced with the advance of the Covid-19 outbreak, the federal government closed its land borders with Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru and Suriname. The border with Venezuela had already been closed.
The border closing ordinance was signed by Sérgio Moro, Minister of Justice, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, Minister of Health, and Braga Netto, Minister of the Civil House. Air travel is also expected to be discontinued soon.
Cases will increase until June
The Health Minister said the numbers will increase exponentially until the end of June. “We are expecting to work with upward spirals between April, May and June. We will experience from 60 to 90 days of great stress and we will see an overload,” Mandetta said.
According to estimates, in July the cases are expected to enter a recession and in August and September the scenario should be back to lower levels. “As long as we build the so-called immunity in over 50 percent of the people,” he said.
Economic measures
Economy Minister Paulo Guedes announced a number of aid measures to reduce the impact on the economy that will be caused by the Covid-19.
A grant of R$200 for self-employed professionals is being prepared, in addition to the guaranteed payment for salaried workers who have their working hours reduced.
Initiatives in the states
Several states are taking measures to halt the advance of the coronavirus. Rio de Janeiro has decreed an emergency situation and ordered, among other measures, the suspension of the air shuttle between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo as of Saturday, March 21st.
The governor of São Paulo, João Doria, recommended the closure of shopping malls and gyms in the metropolitan region. In addition, classes in public and private schools are also being suspended.