Brazil to launch campaign to provide clarifications on Covid-19
The Brazilian government is set to launch a countrywide campaign in the coming weeks to provide clarifications on the new coronavirus (Covid-19), said Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta. He and eight other ministers met Wednesday (Feb. 26) at the Planalto presidential palace to discuss the measures to tackle the respiratory syndrome, which had its first case recently confirmed in Brazil.
“We’re going to have to broaden our communication with the people a little. We already had this communication plan. […] We’re starting a campaign so people may understand the importance of washing hands, being hygienic, and contact the [Health Ministry] if they have a fever or a cough by dialing 136 or online, because there’s a lot of fake news going around. Our allocation plan can be found on the website, divided by state and city. People must have access to accurate information,” Mandetta declared.
The minister did not say when the campaign should start being publicized, but noted it will be similar to previous initiatives on global epidemics, like the H1N1 flu.
Earlier on, the Health Ministry had reported a 61-year-old man who lives in São Paulo was recently in Lombardy, northern Italy, from February 9 through 21, and was confirmed infected with the coronavirus in the country. For now, no change in the rules on the circulation of people at ports and airports in the country will be made, Mandetta said.
Contention
The government announced that all 27 states of the country have updated and submitted their allocation plans to the Health Ministry, including efforts to tackle the disease. It also reported it has published a tender offer for the acquisition of personal protection equipment like masks, to distribute across the states, expanding already available supplies. Basic health care units have had protocol procedures updated to provide the appropriate assistance to anyone infected, and have special screening rooms. Suspected cases may be sent to major hospitals, with beds available for intensive care.
