Depending on the control of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the Minister of Public Health, Ximena Garzón, estimated that it would probably be possible to stop wearing the mask as a mandatory item in open spaces.
According to health authorities, Ecuador lives with a decrease in COVID-19 infections in addition to low mortality from the virus.
The percentage of viral positivity went from 65% in mid-January to 15% so far in February, Garzón said. This figure is established based on the number of positive cases detected for every 100 tests taken.
“Approximately in a month perhaps, at the end of March and beginning of April, when we reach a viral positivity below 5%, we will be able to relax a little in the measures and we will be able, for example, to stop wearing the mask in open spaces”, mentioned in an interview with Teleamazonas.
Vaccination of 3- and 4-year-old children against COVID-19 in Ecuador begins in four cities, starting this Tuesday
Currently, Ecuador has almost 89% of the target population with one dose of vaccine and more than 83% with two doses. In addition, 19% of citizens have already received the booster dose, according to data provided by the minister of the branch.
Starting this Monday the 14th, the population over 18 years of age can now access a booster dose if they have completed the five-month period for the second dose.
Also, from this February 15, children 3 and 4 years old will receive the anti-COVID-19 vaccine in Quito, Loja, Zamora and Machala. The process will take place progressively in the rest of the country from February 21.
Between 150 and 200 people over 18 years of age came to be vaccinated this Monday the 14th at various points in Guayaquil
“Perhaps if we continue with this good rate of vaccination, for which we invite the citizen to continue vaccinating, perhaps in May we will be able to be the first country in Latin America free of COVID,” added the minister on the same television medium.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, as of February 10, 37% of the 2,138 hospital beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients, while in intermediate care it was 48% required of the 209 spaces and in intermediate care. (ICU) 64% of the 598 places assigned in the public health network at the national level were reached.
Garzón announced that in this first semester, vaccines from Pfizer, Sinovac, AstraZeneca and CanSino will continue to be applied. Depending on the epidemiological situation, doses of Novavax may be purchased in the second quarter for entry into the country. “We are making approaches to bring,” he said.
Among the measures in force in Ecuador, people over 3 years of age who arrive in the country have three options: presentation of their complete vaccination card with QR code, vaccination card validated in the country of origin, valid for fourteen days, or the negative PCR test result valid for up to 72 hours. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
