This Thursday, the Public Health Commission debated the draft measures for the prevention and control of respiratory diseases that the Ministry of Health sent to the regions. However, The meeting ended without agreement on the issueas EL ESPAÑOL-Invertia learned.
In this document, the department of Mónica García proposed recover the mask in crowded spacessuch as supermarkets, theaters, cinemas or public transport, if the severity levels of respiratory viruses (flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus) skyrocket.
The draft measures, to which this newspaper had access, aim to “guarantee coordination between territories” this fall and winter when the circulation of Covid-19, influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) overlaps.
The text specifies that each region “can implement as many additional measures as it deems appropriate” depending on its situation, which it groups together into four scenarios risk: 0, 1, 2 and 3, i.e. “very high” or even “pandemic” risk. In it, “the adoption of “additional and exceptional actions which will be implemented in accordance with the specific regulations” can be evaluated.
Already in scenario 2the Ministry of Health proposes that resume the “compulsory nature of the mask in general” in health centers. Its use is also recommended in supermarkets, public transport and enclosed spaces such as cinemas, theaters, concert halls, gymnasiums and dance halls. Also during large outdoor events. If scenario 3 is reached, Health proposes to adopt “additional and exceptional measures”.
The four scenarios will be classified according to a series of indicators (such as the incidence rate, hospitalizations, bed occupancy or admissions to intensive care, among others) which will be reviewed every week.
Some measures that have not found consensus between the Ministry of Health and the autonomous communities within the Public Health Commission. At least, for now. And, as this newspaper learned, A new extraordinary meeting will be convened to discuss this document again..
