13/04/2020
Antoni Trilla, head of Preventive Medicine at the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and one of the advisers to the Committee activated by the Ministry of Health to address the coronavirus health crisis
This week the 14 days of the second phase of confinement have been completed: the strictest. We will continue to be confined for a few more weeks under the state of alarm, with the same measures of social distancing as in the initial phase. The Covid-19 epidemic is still active and the virus among us, still without a treatment that has proven to be really effective and with a vaccine as great hope in the medium term.
The epidemiological curve has been flattened but has not yet been significantly reduced. We have gained time. This was the desired effect. The enormous personal, economic and social sacrifice of all has paid off. Having flattened the curve, the rate of increase in the number of cases is 3-5% daily and should continue to decrease. We will not see the famous epidemic peak. We have exchanged an alpine summit for a lower but longer hill. So far, we have managed to prevent our healthcare system from being unable to care for the sick with Covid-19, including the more serious ones, but we have full ICUs. Mortality is high and is especially cruel with the elderly.
During the initial stage of confinement, citizen mobility was reduced by up to 70%. These last 15 days have been reduced by approximately 10% more. We must continue without moving, without moving, unless our work forces us to do so. You have to stay at home, telework whenever possible, minimize the exits to make essential purchases and follow the instructions of the authorities at all times.
That 70% reduction in mobility must be maintained: it means fewer infections. And to achieve this now we must learn to move and work in a different way. More frequency of passage and less occupation of public transport, in which the use of hygienic masks is recommended. Maintain (with mask also) the safety distance between us everywhere: in transport, in queues, in stores, in the company, in the office and whenever possible. Wash your hands very frequently (the same if we wear gloves). Clean surfaces and utensils well. Ventilate the home well.
We have not won. The fight against Covid-19 continues. It will continue to be very difficult, but we are closer to achieving it. It will largely depend on the discipline and solidarity of all of us.
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