More than half of state hospitals in SP do not have patients with Covid

For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, more than half of the state hospitals in São Paulo do not have an inpatient with Covid. The situation is a reflection of the continuous decline in hospitalizations for the disease: for the 22nd consecutive week, the number of hospitalizations for the coronavirus in the state continues to decrease.

According to data this Wednesday (17), presented by Governor João Doria (PSDB), of the 66 state hospitals in São Paulo, 37 had no patients with Covid hospitalized in ICU beds or infirmary.

In all, the state currently has 1,212 people with the disease in ICU beds. Last year, during the first wave of the pandemic, São Paulo had more than 13 thousand patients with Covid hospitalized in intensive care units. In May of this year, people get to die in the waiting list for beds.

“The improvement of this index is the result of what we have always defended, the vaccine. São Paulo has already immunized 92% of its adult population, and this is what brings us to these indicators”, said Doria.

Jean Gorinchteyn, state secretary of health, said that, with the drop in admissions for Covid, hospitals are making efforts to resume consultations and procedures that were affected during the pandemic.

“We have 56% of state hospitals without Covid’s patients in ICU beds or ward, so these units can accommodate patients with other diseases for procedures that have been dammed,” he said.

Despite the improvement in indicators, the governor did not announce the relaxation of the use of masks, as he had indicated that it could happen. Since vaccination was accelerated in the state, Doria is trying to remove the mandatory use, as has already happened in other parts of the country.

The measure, however, is not yet advised by the scientific committee. The group defends that the end of the obligation only occurs when São Paulo reaches 75% of the population of the state vaccinated, less than 1,100 new cases registered per day and below 300 hospitalizations daily. In addition, it will be necessary to reach the goal of up to 50 deaths daily.

Currently, the state has 83.6% of the population with at least one dose of the vaccine and 72.1% with full immunization. São Paulo is the state with the most advanced vaccination in the country.

Despite having already reached the expected numbers in the immunization, the state has not yet reached the parameters expected in the other indicators. It currently has a moving average of 1,396 new cases per day and 336 daily admissions.

The use of masks is mandatory in São Paulo since May last year, in open and closed spaces. Doria has already said that flexibilization could take place from December 1st.

By law, the use of masks is mandatory in São Paulo until December 31st. According to Doria, the release will be done in a staggered manner.

Even with the pandemic cooling down, experts warn of the importance of maintaining the use of the mask in crowded environments.

That’s because there is robust evidence that Covid-19 is primarily airborne. The infection is caused by the inhalation of small particles expelled by the sick person, even if asymptomatic.​

The end of mandatory masks in some environments has already been decreed in other parts of the country. On Wednesday, the City of Rio decided to release the use of masks in gyms, swimming pools, training centers and skating rinks.

Dispensing with the use of a mask in these places can only occur upon presentation of proof of vaccination. Since September, it is necessary to approve the immunization passport to attend this type of place in the capital of Rio de Janeiro.

Since November 3, the population of the Federal District is also no longer required to wear a mask outdoors. In Duque de Caxias, in the Baixada Fluminense, the city hall decided to allow the use of protection even in closed spaces.