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PAHO: Workers' safety must be guaranteed in Economic Reactivation's Phase 4

Photo: ANDINA/Diffusion

09:01 | Lima, Sep. 25.

Faced with a possible second COVID-19 wave, the safety of workers —who will return to their workplaces— must be guaranteed during the implementation of the Economic Reactivation's Phase 4, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) representative in Peru Ruben Mayorga said.

In remarks to Andina news agency, the official affirmed that —as long as there is no vaccine or medicine to prevent the disease and only dexamethasone is used for severe COVID-19 cases— protective measures will remain the same.

"Unlike Europe, where the population relaxed compliance with sanitary measures due to being in the summer season, in Peru the outbreak can occur due to the reopening of the economy. Therefore, it (the reactivation) must guarantee maximum protection to workers who return to their workplaces and ensure that they wear face masks, wash their hands, and respect social distancing," he commented.

International flights

Regarding the possibility of resuming international flights, the WHO/PAHO official in Peru said that airlines must design a health protocol which considers —for instance— that no passenger with respiratory problems boards an airplane. In this sense, the use of COVID-19 tests with techniques, aimed at obtaining effective and fast results, must be guaranteed.

Likewise, he suggested that social distancing be respected on flights and that passengers wear respiratory protection, even plastic masks to avoid infections.

Peru's strengths to face new COVID-19 wave

Moreover, the PAHO official recognized that Peru is in better shape to face a possible second COVID-19 wave, since hospitals now have beds available for moderate patients and for those requiring care at intensive care units (ICU). They are also available in intermediate care areas.

Mayorga recalled that —when the first COVID-19 case in Peru was confirmed on March 6— the health system had 200 ICU beds, but now it relies on more than 1,700. The goal set by the Government is to reach 2,000 beds, which would allow people in critical condition to be assisted, he said.

"The decrease in mortality is not only because there are fewer cases; it also happens because there are fewer saturated health services (...)," he concluded.

(END) SMS/MVB

Published: 9/25/2020

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PAHO: Workers' safety must be guaranteed in Economic Reactivation's Phase 4

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