Infectologists alert to new Covid-19 surge with Brazil’s São Paulo relaxation

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – São Paulo Infectious Diseases Society said it regarded the new measures to relax quarantine in São Paulo “with extreme concern.”

The entity comprising over 900 associated professionals alerted that the so-called “safe resumption” proposed by the João Doria administration may lead to “a new wave” of Covid-19 in the state, particularly due to the circulation of the Delta variant.

“We understand the population’s economic and social needs, we express our continued solidarity with those who have had their lives and jobs destroyed by the pandemic. However, we understand that the opening should be more gradual and slower, given the risks posed by the Delta variant of the novel coronavirus,” the note says.

As of Tuesday, all commercial establishments in the state, including bars, restaurants, shopping malls and gyms, are open to the public with no limits on opening hours or capacity for in-person business.

The new rules also allow corporate trade shows, conventions, conferences, exhibitions in museums and social events, such as weddings, dinners, debutante parties and graduations, although the use of masks and social distancing are still mandatory.

“Countries with high vaccination rates, such as Israel and the United States, have experienced a surge in both cases and deaths, although the latter are less frequent in vaccinated people. What can we say about Brazil, where the vaccinated adult population is still below what is desirable?,” continues the text published by the entity, which also questions the rates of vaccination coverage in the state.

In São Paulo, less than 30% of the total population is now fully immunized (two doses or single-application vaccines). “In fact, even complete vaccination offers slightly lower protection against this variant, when compared to other coronavirus strains,” the society alerts, reiterating the need for health measures such as the use of masks, avoiding crowds, hand hygiene with sanitizer gel, etc.

On August 17, governor João Doria said that the use of masks in the state will be mandatory at least until the end of the year. He also accepted that “care and caution” are still needed with the Delta variant circulating, even in a climate of normality.

According to the São Paulo state government, the flexibilities were enabled by the lower rate of ICU bed occupancy and the drop in pandemic rates in the state.