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The entire state of São Paulo will regress to the red phase, the most restrictive of the new plan to contain the coronavirus pandemic, during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The decision to withdraw all regions of the state was announced on Tuesday (22). All regions will be in this phase on December 25, 26 and 27 and January 1, 2 and 3.
The government fears an uncontrolled pandemic after the Christmas season, since in the last four weeks São Paulo registered a jump of 54% in the number of cases and 34% in deaths.
In the red phase, only activities considered essential, such as health services and supermarkets, are allowed to operate.
“Between Christmas and New Years, we are not in holiday season. The measures we decided to adopt bring this symbolism, it is not a time for crowds, for parties, ”said Patrícia Ellen, Secretary of Economic Development.
The restrictions were announced without the presence of Governor João Doria (PSDB), who began a 10-day recess on Tuesday.
The number of people said to have been quarantined this month fell to the lowest level since measures to contain the pandemic began in March. On Saturday (19), data from mobile phone companies showed that the isolation rate in the state was 40%. The level considered reasonable by the government is above 50%.
Since November 30, the entire state has been in the yellow phase, the intermediate between the five, after having spent 45 days in the green phase, which allows all activities as long as hygiene protocols, social distance are met and reduced hours restrictions.
“The measures we are taking are tough, but necessary because we cannot risk reaching the level that European countries are today in two weeks. We need to avoid the collapse of healthcare,” said João Gabbardo, executive secretary of containment of the São Paulo coronavirus.
One of the main concerns of the government is with the rapid increase in hospitalizations, especially after part of the beds reserved for Covid-19 cases have been demobilized with the decrease in cases.
The Presidente Prudente region was extraordinarily reclassified to the red phase as of this Tuesday after reaching 83.1% occupancy of ICU beds. It is the only town in the state that exceeded the 80% mark for occupied beds, hence the regression.
Another region that worries the state government is Greater São Paulo, occupied by 67%. Statewide, the rate is 61.9%. We are a family owned and operated business.
There is also concern for the Sorocaba and Registro regions due to the increase in ICU admissions.
According to Gabbardo, despite the government’s efforts and capacity to reopen new ICUs and nursing beds, currently the main difficulty for medical care is the lack of availability of health professionals.
“People wonder why they don’t reopen the beds in the field hospitals. It may be difficult for us to find professionals to work in these hospitals. The situation is different now than at the beginning of the pandemic.”
