Coronavirus screening should not be performed at Madeira airports. The indication was given this morning, by the president of IASaúde, explaining that “it is not scientifically proven that the screening on arrival is effective”. The latest information shows that basic hygiene measures will be sufficient to prevent contagion.
According to Herberto Jesus, according to the rules of the European Commission and the Directorate-General for Health, it is not effective to screen the entrance. “What is appropriate is that if the person has symptoms and comes from Wuhan (China), they must inform the services upon arrival,” he said.
Herberto Jesus also referred that, the cases documented until today, do not indicate contagion in airplanes. However, it should be noted that these are data collected so far, which may change as the investigations progress.
On the other hand, he recalled that Wuhan airport closed on 23 January and taking into account that the incubation period is 14 days, until mid-February there should be the largest flow, which is now limited with the closure of that airport . Despite being “reassuring” news, the president of IASaúde emphasizes that “what today is true, tomorrow may be a lie”, so there is a continuous articulation between the different health agencies in the country and internationally, in order to increase and effective sharing of information about the coronavirus.
Baud rate is low
Asked about preventive measures, Herberto Jesus recalled that basic hygiene care is essential to prevent the transmission of the virus. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water, and protecting your airways when sneezing or coughing should be sufficient. “What we think today is that: basic individual protection measures are sufficient to prevent contagion”.
This is a virus with a low rate of transmission and mortality, and the registered deaths are associated with people of advanced age and with several other associated health problems.
The president of IASaúde spoke to journalists at the end of a meeting this morning, which brought together IASaúde and SESARAM, to outline plans for an eventual coronavirus outbreak.
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