Covid-19 Brazil: São Paulo state assesses relaxing mask use in near future

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – With the increase in vaccination rates and the decrease in Covid-19 related indicators, the São Paulo Coronavirus Contingency Center is assessing the feasibility of lifting the mandatory mask use in the state. However, this will not occur at this time.

“We are assessing the feasibility [of lifting mask use] in the future. Not at this time. Despite the current improvement in the pandemic figures, there are still people becoming severely ill and lives are still being lost. That’s why we should still continue to use the protection [mask], in addition to vaccination,” said the Coronavirus Contingency Center coordinator Paulo Menezes.

He says that masks, along with vaccination, are responsible for reducing the transmission of the novel coronavirus. It was also crucial in preventing the spread of the Delta variant, which is currently predominant in the state. “The contribution of this shield [mask] in control was essential.”

Menezes pointed out that lifting mask use is not something simple to do. “We would all like to be able to remove our mask. In several countries we have seen that. But history has shown that things are not that simple. These places [that removed masks] were forced to backtrack on that recommendation,” he said, noting that several countries that lifted the requirement began to see an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.

“It is possible, in the near future, with improving conditions, to be able to assess the feasibility of its removal. And maybe, first, in safer situations, like open spaces [without crowds],” he said.

São Paulo governor João Doria said that this issue on mask use may be announced in an upcoming press conference, scheduled for October 18.

“We are optimistic about the near future. It is a moderate optimism. We are progressing well, with a drop in infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. And an increase in vaccination rates. We still need to be careful. But with a very optimistic short term outlook,” Doria explained.

STUDY

Mask use and, mainly, vaccination against Covid-19 have led to a significant decrease in the number of infections by the novel coronavirus. A study conducted by the Emílio Ribas Institute of Infectology in São Paulo demonstrated the importance of vaccination in reducing hospitalizations.

According to infectious disease physician at Emílio Ribas Jamal Suleiman, the study analyzed hospitalizations for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), among them Covid-19.

From January through September 15 this year, 1,172 hospitalizations for SARS at Emílio Ribas were analyzed. Nine out of 10 hospitalized patients had not been vaccinated. “There were 138 cases among vaccinated patients. Which shows that the role of the vaccine is to protect people. We are certainly unable to protect all people. But we achieved the maximum protection for the maximum number of individuals. There were 1,034 cases among unvaccinated individuals,” Suleiman said.

Among hospitalized patients, 274 died, of which 237 were not vaccinated and 21 had received only one dose. Only 16 of patients who had the complete vaccination schedule died. “This clearly shows the role of the vaccine in containing the pandemic,” the infectologist explained.