The Academy of Physical, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences warned on November 27 that the coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19, is not under control in Venezuela. The Academy made this assertion after several official reports from the Maduro government suggested a decrease in cases and projected a normalization of risk among the Venezuelan population.
The researchers stated that the cases reported each day are different from the number of real cases, according to the projections of their mathematical models based on data on respiratory infections: “These same evaluations indicate that since the end of October there has been an increase in the number of daily cases that coincides with an increase in the mobility of people”.
The Academy warned that a new exponential increase in positive cases of COVID-19 could be triggered if national mobility is maintained during December, as they pointed out in their second national report, where they projected some 14,000 daily cases in Venezuela in December.
Prolonged flexibility
The Academy stressed that total relaxation of restrictions for the whole of December is worrisome, especially at a time when the diagnosis, “essential for epidemiological surveillance”, seems to have been reduced at an accelerated rate, for reasons unknown to the country.
Besides, the institution assured that an insufficient number of diagnostic tests are being carried out in Venezuela, and they are below international standards. In consequence, the possible scenarios should be projected using indirect indicators of the transmission of respiratory infections and changes in mobility registered through cell phones, published by Google.
The Academy urged to avoid contagion as much as possible since this is the only strategy available to protect the well-being and life of the population. They insisted on keeping physical distance to a minimum of seven feet, using the mask correctly, washing your hands, staying at home, and avoiding enclosed spaces: “The virus will be among us until most of the population is immunized with a vaccine or naturally” they concluded.
Provea expresses its support and words of condolences to all the health personnel fighting the battle for life in Venezuela, especially under such difficult conditions, as well as to the relatives of those who have lost their lives. We reiterate that Venezuela should not normalize the coronavirus epidemic, we call to maintain prevention measures and take care of our lives and the lives of our loved ones.
We recall that the country is going through a Complex Humanitarian Emergency, so resorting to the health system under these circumstances is extremely risky. We urge you to take responsibility for the difficult time that the world is experiencing, and not to put your life at risk, as well as not to trust the official figures for the stated reasons.
Translated by José Rafael Medina
