SUS declares that it will direct 2 thousand ICU beds to patients detected with covid-19. Outbreak in Italy increased concern in Brazil.
This Thursday (12), the Ministry of Health stated that it will direct 2 thousand ICU beds to patients detected with covid-19 by the Unified Health System (SUS). According to the Ministry, the concern increased after the accelerated growth of the virus outbreak in Europe, especially in Italy.
In a press conference, João Gabbardo, the executive secretary of the Ministry of Health, said that it is still an estimate: “When we thought of a thousand beds, it was an estimate. Without any concrete data,” said the executive secretary. “Today, after Italy, our level of concern has increased. That is why we are putting in two thousand beds.”
The SUS must also make a change in the criteria for the use of beds in Intensive Care Units (ICU). Gabbardo explained that terminally ill patients will not be taken to this sector.
“We are thinking about suggestions and changes in the use of beds,” he said. “We will not place patients unnecessarily in a hospital. There are criteria for using beds in emergency situations,” concluded the executive secretary.
It was also announced this Thursday that 5,000 new healthcare professionals would be called up through the Mais Médicos program to contribute to and reinforce the fight against the outbreak of the new coronavirus.
Quarantine and Social Isolation
The Ministry of Health also defined the rules for the isolation and quarantine of patients who are confirmed with Covid-19. The text provides that epidemiological surveillance agents are authorized to recommend isolation for people who have been in close contact with someone infected, during the investigation of their case.
The Ministry of Health stated that the decision on whether or not to keep a person who has been in contact with an infected person in isolation will be the responsibility of the professional.
It was also reported that in the event of non-compliance with the recommended isolation or quarantine measures, the person will be held responsible under the terms provided for by law. The ordinance did not go into detail about the types of sanctions that these people may be subject to.