USP again forces the use of masks in closed spaces against Covid

USP (University of São Paulo) once again forced the use of masks in closed spaces on university campuses as a form of protection against the coronavirus.

From this Friday, the use of protective equipment will be required in closed places, with preference for surgical or PFF2 masks, well adjusted to the face and covering the nose and chin.

In external spaces, use is only recommended if there are situations of agglomeration, according to the University’s Health Advisory Commission.

The decision was approved in council this Friday afternoon after an increase in new cases both in the state of São Paulo and at the university itself, which has seen an abrupt rise in Covid confirmations and hospitalizations at the University Hospital in recent days.

In a statement, the USP Health Advisory Commission said that it has been monitoring the evolution of the pandemic based on data provided by the State Department of Health and that “the new epidemiological scenario with an increase in the number of people with flu-like symptoms and positive diagnoses of infection by the coronavirus in recent weeks” led to the update of the recommendation.

According to the health superintendent at the institution, Paulo Lotufo, the increase in new cases reported in the first ten days of November is still lower than that observed in the Covid wave between May and June, but higher than the level of September and October. Today, there are 255 confirmed cases of USP servers.

“An increase was already expected, but what was shocking was the speed of new cases,” he said.

In the state of São Paulo, admissions to ICU beds have increased by 56% in the last two weeks, while admissions to infirmary beds have increased by 50%.

THE Sheet had already anticipated a rise in Covid cases in the state at the end of October and beginning of November, although the number of deaths is still lower than that observed in other waves.

The growth of infections caused mainly by subvariants of the omicron made people run to pharmacies and hospitals in search of care and even to vaccine stations, looking for a new immunization booster.

The university also advises that, at the current moment, “festive events, get-togethers, coffee breaks or any other similar event that encourages participants to remove the mask to eat food and, consequently, increase the possibility of transmission of the virus “.

In addition to the use of masks, USP also recommends constant hand hygiene, the use of airy and well-ventilated spaces and proof of the vaccination status of employees, teachers and students, including the first booster dose.

The note reinforced that with the resumption of mandatory masks in closed spaces and with the advancement of vaccination in the country, including the offer of immunizations for everyone, the requirement of proof of vaccination will no longer be a requirement for campus goers who are not part of the faculty, students or university staff.

On Thursday night (10), Unicamp had also announced the resumption of masks on campus.

In a note also published last Thursday, the Secretary of Science, Research and Development in Health of the São Paulo government had already recommended the use of masks in public transport, in pharmacies and by people with comorbidities or more vulnerable, such as the elderly.

According to the secretary of the portfolio, David Uip, the recommendation is a guideline, but it is not the case of the return of mandatory throughout the state. “When it comes to mandatory, it needs to be preceded by a decree from the governor, it is not the case. We are recommending it”, he said, in an interview with Sheet.