The decrease in cases of covid-19 and the transmissibility index are “good indicators” for an adaptation of the measures to contain the pandemic, namely the period of isolation, said this Friday, February 4, the Assistant Secretary of State and of health.
«It is important to say that the numbers have been decreasing, compared to the numbers of the previous week, the transmissibility index (...) has also been decreasing, and therefore these are good indicators, I would say, so that there may be a adaptation in relation to this epidemiological evolution», António Lacerda Sales told journalists in Vilamoura, on the sidelines of the opening session of the Portuguese Congress of Endocrinology, which runs until Sunday.
Asked whether the reduction of the period of isolation for people infected with covid-19, currently set at seven days, is being considered, the Secretary of State replied that this is a “technical” decision and “that gradually and progressively can come to pass.” adapt' to epidemiological developments.
The incidence of infections with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in Portugal increased to 7.163,7 cases per 100 inhabitants and the transmissibility index (Rt) dropped again, to 1,05, according to data released today by the Directorate-General for Health. Health (DGS).
According to the daily bulletin on the evolution of the covid-19 pandemic in Portugal, the Rt - which estimates the number of secondary cases of infection resulting from each person carrying the virus - fell from 1,09 at national level, on Wednesday, to 1,05, the same happening considering only mainland Portugal, where it dropped from 1,10 to 1,05.
António Lacerda Sales said that, in relation to the expected progressive relief of restrictions, the use of a mask should be one of the last measures that everyone should alleviate.
“For now [the use of a mask] is still important, given the incidence, given the rate of transmissibility, it remains important that we keep a mask, namely, in closed spaces or with large clusters”, he warned.
But, “the time will come when it will be a little at the discretion of each one and the individual responsibility of each one” the use of a mask, considered Lacerda Sales, saying that its use is one of the “great lessons” of this pandemic and which should be "one of the last measures that everyone" should alleviate.
"Certainly, in the medium and long-term future, each of the [at risk] groups, or each of the people, should, on their own initiative, make that decision", he underlined, referring to the most vulnerable population, noting that enter 'a transitional phase towards greater individual accountability'.
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