Carnival: Fiocruz recommends caution against COVID-19
Fiocruz's Infogripe Bulletin, released on Thursday (Feb. 8) by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), warns of a continued increase in cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the Northern Region of Brazil and recommends heightened caution against COVID-19, especially in the states of Amazonas and Tocantins, during Carnival.
While the national scenario shows a decline or stability in cases, individuals with flu-like symptoms should avoid crowded places in the South, Southeast, Northeast, and Central-West Regions.
Marcelo Gomes, coordinator of InfoGripe, advises people in the COVID-19 risk group, such as the elderly, to avoid carnival celebrations in the northern states and in Mato Grosso.
"We know that carnival involves large crowds…which unfortunately pose a high risk of infection, despite being held in open, well-ventilated spaces. Due to the significant risk presented by the large number of people, our recommendation is to refrain from attending this year's carnival festivities. Carnival happens every year, but we only have one life," he argues.
Spread
According to the foundation, Amazonas, Pará, and Tocantins—states in the north of the country—continue to show clear signs of increasing SARS cases due to COVID-19, as well as Mato Grosso in Brazil's Central-West. SARS cases are characterized by more severe respiratory symptoms that typically require hospitalization.
In Pará, although there has been a decline in the rate of growth among the elderly, this trend does not extend to children and young adults, who are still experiencing an increase in cases. The states of Acre and Rondônia are also indicating an uptick in SARS cases.
For the rest of the country, the recommendation from InfoGripe's coordinator is to avoid attending gatherings if experiencing flu-like symptoms. "The virus is still present. So, if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, it could be COVID-19 or even influenza. Let's protect the rest of the population," concludes the researcher.
