The lifting of the use of face masks, both in open-air and closed spaces, due to the decrease in covid-19 cases, opens the window for the future behavior of the virus in the country.
It is important to remember that the most recent measure in this regard was taken on April 25, when the Ministry of Health and Presidency, They announced the removal of the mask in closed spaces from May 1, as well as the extension of the health emergency.
(See: ‘Zero Covid’, a setback for Xi Jinping’s government).
At the time, the Minister of Health, Fernando Ruiz Gómez, was emphatic in indicating that the only places where the restriction would be maintained would be health services, nursing homes and transportation of any kind.
According to the director of Epidemiology and Demography of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Claudia Cuéllar, in mid-May, the positivity rate was low, but she warned that it doubled from 2% to 4%; Among the reasons she emphasized, she underlines the high mobilization that occurred during Holy Week.
According to figures from the National Institute of Health (INS), As of May 17, 4,480 total cases of coronavirus are registered in Colombia, 76.8% (3,441) active, and being May 12, the day with the highest number of infections, 199 symptomatic and 176 asymptomatic, for a total of 375.
(See: Infections and deaths from covid in the first week without a mask).
In the first 17 days of the month, 57.5% of the cases of contagion correspond to women and 42.5% to men. Likewise, it is stated that 44% of the cases are asymptomatic, 15% presented cough, 11% odynophagia (pain in the pharynx area), 9% fever and 2% difficulty breathing.
Despite the rise, the number of infections remains below previous months of the year, such as January, which presented a figure of 620,461 cases, followed by February with 77,325; March ended with 10,502 infections and for April there were 5,967 cases.
Experts affirm that self-care measures must be implemented and the vaccination scheme must be continued to achieve a decrease in the number of infections.
(See: Colombia approves fourth dose of vaccine against covid).
At the court of May 19, they have presented 12 deaths, in which comorbidities such as hypertension and kidney disease coincided. According to the Ministry of Health, heace The areas with the highest numbers of infections are: Bogotá (1,609), Antioquia (883) and Valle (169).
For the epidemiologist at the Universidad del Rosario Carlos Trillos, the behavior of the virus regarding the use of face masks “It is gradual, based on vaccination coverage, especially booster doses.”
And I add: “It is important to point out that there is active viral circulation and we must be careful to avoid new contagion peaks.”.
DIANA K. RODRIGUEZ T.
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