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Signs of improvement

2020-04-06T22:27:29.753Z


Containment measures are gradually taking effect


For the first time since the state of alarm was decreed on March 24, there are signs of improvement in the evolution of the epidemic that invite cautious optimism. The data indicates that containment measures are taking effect little by little. The balance, as of yesterday, was 135,000 diagnosed cases, 13,055 deaths and more than 40,000 patients discharged. The 637 deaths registered yesterday represent an unbearable figure, but it is the lowest in almost two weeks and, more importantly, it is the fourth consecutive decline since it was reached last Thursday, with 950 deaths, the highest peak. The number of new infections has also halved in one week. The 4,273 new cases registered yesterday represent an increase of 3.2% compared to the previous day, when on March 15 the daily increase was 22%. There are reasons, then, to think that we are close to the desired turning point.

Although the health system continues to bear enormous pressure, in general terms it can be affirmed that until now the dreaded collapse has been avoided. This was the objective of the confinement decreed by the Government. The high level of compliance and the constructive way in which it has been faced by the population show the maturity of Spanish society. In circumstances as serious as this, the degree of citizen commitment is decisive, as well as the enormous display of solidarity, empathy and creativity that has been displayed within it.

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The critical point remains the saturation of intensive care units. Given that hospital admissions occur a few days behind the infections, it is inevitable that the pressure will continue for a few more days.

On the negative side, we must regret the more than 12,300 toilets who have been infected in the course of their work, to which the lack of adequate protection material has undoubtedly contributed. The difficulties that both the Ministry of Health and the autonomous communities have had in obtaining supplies reveal the importance of having a plan that ensures the provision of this tooling. Health ensures that it has allocated 845 million euros to the purchase of tests, protection elements and ventilation devices, but that the market turmoil has prevented them from arriving as quickly as required. If anything shows this harsh experience, it is that in this type of health emergency it is better to have a provisioning system of your own or arranged with other European countries.

If the current downward trend consolidates, we will be able to face the second phase of the fight against the coronavirus in the coming weeks. In this phase, the risk of regrowth will be high and, therefore, early detection and isolation of new infections will be of the utmost importance. For this, it is necessary to have sufficient tests and a greater capacity for analysis. As the confinement can be lifted, epidemiological surveillance will have to be increased. We cannot let our guard down. The pandemic is forcing an unprecedented effort that cannot be compromised by inappropriate haste or haste.

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Source: elparis

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