This Tuesday is the second day of the localized quarantine in Bogotá, a strategy of the district administration to stop the spread of covid-19, a virus that already leaves 51,281 infections in the capital.
In an interview with City Tv, the mayor Claudia López took stock of the day and spoke about the possibility of introducing mandatory strict isolation throughout the city, as it was experienced in late March and early April.
(You may be interested in: What do the figures in the latest report say about the pandemic in Bogotá?)
“We had a lot of collaboration from the citizens: the number of users fell by almost 50% in the Ciudad Bolívar metrocable, income in the Transmilenio system fell by 30%, so that people made an effort to stay home, “López said of the first day of quarantine by localities.
I was the first to say that Bogotá and the country should prepare for a strict two-week quarantine
–
–
In addition, the district president referred to the letter sent by medical associations in which they request a general quarantine in Bogotá.
“I understand your concern and I share it. In fact, for eight days I was the first to say that Bogotá and the country should prepare for a strict two-week quarantine, but that is not the option of the National Government,” said the mayor. .
(Also read: Claudia López’s response to doctors asking for total quarantine)
‘I have never ruled out general quarantine’
Starting from the Government’s position, López said that a viable alternative was studied jointly to slow down the pandemic and not overwhelm the hospital system, and from there the quarantine by localitieswith which more than 2.5 million people are left in strict isolation.
–
This is how the localities that have already started strict quarantine are seen.
–
César Melgarejo / EL TIEMPO
–
–
–
However, Claudia López made it clear that the door for a general quarantine is still open: ‘We never ruled out the alternative for general quarantine. It is always a possibility, we have it at hand and we will continue studying it with the Government. ‘
UCI occupation in more than 90%, what’s next?
Weeks ago, the district administration spoke of returning to general confinement if the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) occupancy rate exceeded 70%. According to the Bogotá Health Observatory, for this July 14 occupancy is at 91.2%: Of the 1,187 beds available for the care of patients with covid-19, 1,083 are being used.
(We recommend: The six mistakes that can be deadly in the pandemic)
Regarding this, López highlighted that, going through the peak of the pandemic, that percentage will not decrease. “What we agreed with the Ministry of Health is that every day we will install additional beds. The city is on red alert in the UCI systemThat is why at the moment 2 and a half million people are in strict quarantine. It will continue to be done, in principle, in turns, but we do not rule out going to general quarantine. “
You may also be interested
–Attention !: strict quarantine on the weekend in Medellín
–Everything you need to know about quarantine by locations in Bogotá
–They imposed 481 appearances on the first day of quarantine by localities
ELTIEMPO.COM
* With information from City Tv
–
