Brazil: 98 Confirmed Covid-19 Cases, Community Transmission in Rio and São Paulo

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Friday, March 13th, the Ministry of Health released a new report on confirmed cases of the new coronavirus (Sars-Cov-2 or Covid-19) in Brazil: 98 cases. In addition, the report highlights the following:

• 98 confirmed cases, against 77 on Thursday
• 1,485 suspected cases
• 1,344 discarded cases

The Ministry of Health also reported that there are cases of community transmission in the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. According to the portfolio, the cases of community transmission are those in which it is impossible to determine the course of infection of the virus.

So far, the federal government had only recorded local transmission cases, which occur when people who travelled abroad and became infected pass on the virus to close relatives and contacts, enabling Health officials to trace the origin of the infection.

Seven days of post-travel isolation

Also on Friday, the Ministry of Health recommended that international travelers arriving in Brazil remain in home isolation for seven days, even if they do not experience any symptoms of Covid-19.

People with symptoms should remain in home isolation for up to 14 days. On Thursday, March 12th, the portfolio announced that people who have contact with those infected with the virus should also be placed in isolation, as recommended by doctors.