The Ministry of Health recommends using the mask again, why?

The Ministry of Health has called on Colombians to start using the mask again in enclosed spaces, due to the increase in cases of the Covid-19 virus that occurred in recent days.

The health bag also made this recommendation for municipalities with vaccination coverage of up to 70%.

According to the epidemiological surveillance of the National Institute of Health, INS, the number of cases of covid-19 has increased in recent days, especially due to the sub-variables of Omicron.

The Ministry stressed that the use of face masks is one of the most effective measures to prevent not only the Covid-19 virus, but also to prevent acute respiratory infections, which are increasing these days due to the Colombian winter.

The Deputy Minister of Public Health and Service Delivery, German Escobar Morales, noted that “the recommendation is particularly important given that Colombia is currently experiencing a peak of respiratory infections, largely due to the rainy season experienced by most of the territory.”

According to the weekly report, as of June 30, the cases of COVID-19 had reached 23,827, and there is a slight increase in the number of deaths.

Thus, in addition to recommending the extent to which masks should be used, the Deputy Minister also asked citizens to go to the vaccination center to start or complete the schemes or receive booster doses. “Let’s remember that vaccines have already demonstrated high efficacy and high safety in reducing serious illness and death,” Escobar said.

According to the ministry’s data, so far, at least 83.4% of the first and second doses have been applied, while 70.9% of the population has the full scheme.

Similarly, 39.6% of people over the age of 12 also have a PBX: (57-1) 3305000 – Toll-free: 018000-910097 Fax: (57-1) 3305050 www.minsalud.gov.co The third dose is called. And 867,597 people received their second stimulant dose. “These numbers make it necessary for us to make a strong recommendation today to use the mask in enclosed spaces, where there are crowds, when we go to visit or if we live with the elderly or with comorbidities,” the official demanded.

However, it is worth clarifying that this is a recommendation but it will be voluntary and not mandatory. “It is very important to do this to the extent that we protect ourselves and take care of others,” he noted.

The second batch of vaccines donated by the United States has arrived in Colombia

On June 4, Colombia received the first of two batches of vaccines that are part of a donation from the United States to the country, divided into equal blocks. A month later, Sunday, July 3, the Ministry of Health reported that the second shipment of vaccines was already on the national territory.

According to German Escobar, Deputy Minister of Public Health and Service Delivery, this new delivery contains the same amount as the previous one, 1,0008,000 doses from the Janssen laboratory.

The official also stated that the vaccines received would be directed mainly at the immigrant population in Colombia, as they are from a single application. He also stated that they can be used to complement schemes and in booster potions that are still being carried out in the country.

“We reiterate our gratitude to the United States government for this donation, which will allow us to continue to make progress in protecting Venezuelan migrants passing through or passing through Colombian territory,” the deputy minister stressed.

In the communication, Escobar also took the opportunity to stress the importance of the general population maintaining good care practices during the peak respiratory phase the country is currently experiencing and the increase in confirmed infections. As the official suggested, in the face of any respiratory symptoms, the most appropriate thing is to continue to use a face mask and avoid contact with others as much as possible.