Witzel spoke about the lack of tests, delays in test results, social isolation, and the Zilda Arns Hospital in Volta Redonda.
This Friday, Wilson Witzel, governor of Rio de Janeiro, commented on the coronavirus situation in the southern region of the state.
The south of Rio de Janeiro has already recorded three deaths from the disease — two elderly people in Volta Redonda and one in Miguel Pereira — in addition to another 60 confirmed cases.
Below is the interview with Governor Wilson Witzel, conducted over the phone, in RJ 1.
Lack of testing
"We're conducting a statistical analysis to first address the most vulnerable, densely populated areas. Priority is given to communities in Rio de Janeiro. We need to identify homes with the most residents and few rooms. If anyone is infected, they must leave and quarantine to prevent them from quickly infecting others in the property, including the elderly and those with limited recovery. Therefore, the Health Department's strategy will be to prioritize these communities. As tests arrive, we'll try to reach the countryside as well. The challenge is enormous. These supplies are in short supply. The whole world is buying tests. We'll receive a number, which hasn't yet been confirmed, this week to begin testing."
Delay in exam results
"The rapid test in 10 minutes already gives you the answer. Lab tests take longer and are more difficult. But we have just over 700 tests in the waiting list, and our curve is quite reasonable; it's flattened. This will give us time to have over 1,200 beds available by April 30th to accommodate people with chronic respiratory problems."
It's a very difficult situation, but we will overcome it; we will overcome this crisis together. It's time to heed the recommendations of the authorities, the mayors, the governor, the health minister. Going out now, returning to normal life, we'll quickly infect many people. It will reach homes, it will infect the elderly.
They will have difficulty breathing, because this is statistical, this is medical data. Our ICUs must be prepared to receive them. So, this is a very important issue for the population to understand. We are acting with our entire workforce, and the State Health Department is strategically preparing the entire state to overcome this crisis."
Zilda Arns Regional Hospital
"We have over 200 beds at Zilda Arns Hospital, and it's prepared to receive air ambulances and serve the entire region. For this initial phase, what we already have is reasonable, as well as Volta Redonda, which is also setting up another field hospital. Resende is also preparing with sufficient beds. The State Health Department's strategy is being seen as quite reasonable, and everything is in place to prepare the cities."
Social isolation
"The information I have is that the mayors, in partnership with the Military Police, Municipal Guard, Health Department, and Health Surveillance, are carrying out checks with sanitary barriers on state highways and at municipal entrances. The information I have is that we are in place. So, with this, I feel somewhat at ease that everyone entering is being checked for temperature, spoken to, and potentially infected people are identified and advised to quarantine. So I believe we are acting correctly, and the information is that the mayors are cooperating greatly."
Face shield manufacturing companies
"The guidance I gave to the Health Department is precisely this: to contact companies that can produce. The information I have is that some companies are lacking raw materials, but the department is in contact with these companies through FIRJAN to identify those who can produce individual equipment and help us with the crisis. This has been my guidance. We have been talking to all the companies to be able to make this purchase here in the state of Rio de Janeiro, because there are currently no conditions for purchasing outside Brazil. China is canceling purchases because it is supplying the United States, because the crisis there is truly dire, and the number of deaths per day exceeds a thousand people. So, it is very difficult to buy outside. The new goal is to effectively buy from companies here in the state of Rio de Janeiro."
This was the full interview given by Governor Wilson Witzel, this Friday (3).
For more information about the southeast region, access.