Covid-19: 5 states record over 25% drop in deaths in two weeks

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The largest decrease in the period occurred in Santa Catarina: 33.5%, with the rate going from 113.7 to 75.6. Other states registering significant drops were Paraíba, Ceará, Mato Grosso, and Rio Grande do Sul, where the rolling average of deaths fell more than 25%.

In Santa Catarina, the government adopted measures to restrict circulation in order to contain the virus. On April 9th, acting governor Daniela Reinehr (PSL) extended for another 14 days the decree that prohibits events, meetings, and gatherings of people in public spaces or any environment, in addition to the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the establishment between 10 PM and 6 AM. Sports practices, public transportation, supermarkets, gyms, movie theaters, religious temples, and courses are restricted on time and capacity.

Rio Grande do Sul has relaxed its restrictions since April 10th. Non-essential commerce was allowed to open on weekends, following protocols, and the opening hours of bars and restaurants were extended. But the state remains under a black flag because of the high ICU bed occupancy, at least until April 26th. For two months, Rio Grande do Sul has been in “very high risk”, however, in the last few weeks the state has registered a drop in hospitalizations.

In Mato Grosso, 27 municipalities are at a high level of Covid-19 contamination. With crowded ICUs, the government maintained for a while the prohibition of all economic activities from 7 PM to 5 AM and from noon on Saturdays and Sundays. But in a decree signed on April 16th, the state relaxed operation times to 10 PM and changed the start of curfew from 9 PM to 11 PM. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is also allowed in the sales locations, only for customers seated at a table and obeying the limits of capacity and time. These restrictions will remain in force as long as the statewide rate of occupancy of ICUs does not exceed 85%.

Ceará, which came from a rigid social isolation, started to relax measures on April 10th: schools, churches, and commercial activities can operate with capacity limitation. Individual physical activities were allowed in public spaces, such as squares and parks.

In Paraíba, the government will begin a reopening phase starting next week. Higher education institutions will be able to resume practical classes, and private elementary and junior high schools will be able to operate in a hybrid system – part in-person and part distance learning. Bars and restaurants will continue to operate from 6 AM to 10 PM, with restricted occupancy, as will religious temples.

Establishments in the service sector and commerce, on the other hand, will be able to operate for up to 10 continuous hours a day, with no crowds. Beauty salons, gyms, and childcare facilities will also continue to be allowed.

Increase

On the other hand, 6 states recorded an increase of over 20% in the number of deaths, according to the VEJA survey: Pará, Acre, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro.

Santa Catarina registered the largest drop, of 33.5%, in the rolling average according to the VEJA survey; half of the states registered a decline in the period.

Source: Veja