Isolation Measures May Recur Intermittently for Two Years, Says PAHO

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Countries will have to coexist with the resumption of social isolation actions for up to two years, in order to prevent an explosion of Covid-19 cases.

This is the estimated average time frame for large-scale immunization of populations. This is the opinion of the doctor and vice-director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Jarbas Barbosa, Tuesday’s guest of the series ‘Estadão Live Talks’. The PAHO is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) arm in the Americas.

“The most optimistic talk about developing a vaccine by the end of the year. But until vaccination is available, we are talking about two years in which we will have periods of greater relaxation, monitoring, and, if needed, to reverse. To prevent an explosion of cases, as has already occurred,” Barbosa said.

The doctor stated that it is difficult to set a date to relax social distancing measures in Brazil. He said the most important aspect is to ensure that transmission of the virus is decreasing “consistently” and that there are enough beds to serve the population before making this decision.

“Homemade masks can help, but they are not a magic solution. They cannot replace other measures that are being recommended,” he said.

Politicization

Asked about PAHO’s concerns regarding Brazil, Barbosa said the organization does not deal with specific country cases but said that “recommendations do not change according to politics”.

According to the doctor, all evidence points to losses in relaxing social distancing in locations of increased transmission of the virus, such as Brazil. “Until now, it was the recipe for failure. It has led to overcrowded ICUs, to people losing their lives,” he said.

Barbosa said that an adequate coordination between health authorities, and clear advice to the population regarding social distancing is crucial. “People’s compliance with drastic measures, with social distancing, only occurs if there is clear and objective information on what is happening, what the risks are, and that there are financial and social compensations”.

Rapid test

The deputy director of PAHO said that rapid tests are not recommended for mass diagnosis of the population.

The product, according to the doctor, serves as a tool to assist in research on the percentage of exposure to the virus in a given location.

“Rapid test to diagnose is definitely not recommended. It is recommended to then search the population for those who already have antibodies against the virus. To conduct a study, yes, it is valuable,” he said.

Source: Estadão Conteúdo