“Extension of quarantine”, the recommendation of experts to the President

After the meeting that Alberto Fernández headed with the committee of experts, the Minister of Health, Ginés González García, explained in a press conference that “everyone has unanimously believed that the quarantine must be extended.” In addition, the official anticipated that in the course of today, the head of state will make the announcement with the details of the extension.

“I understand that the President of the Nation, who is spearheading this strategy, is going to speak to the Argentine Nation. I don’t know what time“, Held.

On the advance of the pandemic in Argentina, he said: “Every day we are better, better in preparation, better in resources. So far we are below the simulation curve.”

And I add: “Do not be scared, it will be natural for the curve to increase due to the cycle of the disease and the diagnostic improvement of the country“

On how the conditions of the extension of the isolation would be, Ginés did not give details but warned: “From March 20 it is for the entire population except for those who fulfill essential services. The suggestion given by the group is that the extension should continue in the same way”.

He also made reference to the situation in the Conurbano, where there are very vulnerable areas: “We cannot resolve a situation of many years of weakness. The Conurbano, which has the largest number of poor people in Argentina, is a problem in Argentina.”

The experts who were included were the WHO / PAHO Special Ambassador for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mirta Roses; the scientific director of the Guest Foundation, Pedro Cahn; the head of the Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases, Omar Sued, and specialists Angela Gentile, chief of epidemiology at the Ricardo Gutiérrez Hospital, Pablo Bonvehi, the former president of the Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases, Gustavo Lopardo and Tomás Orduna.

On the side of the officials, the Secretary for Access to Health, Carla Vizzotti, the Head of the Cabinet, Santiago Cafiero, the Minister of the Interior, Eduardo “Wado” De Pedro, the Secretary for Strategic Affairs, Gustavo Béliz, said Secretary General of the Presidency, Julio Vitobello, the Secretary of Communication and Press, Juan Pablo Biondi and Presidential Advisor Alejandro Grimson.

The group of experts had been meeting since January in the Gray Room of the Ministry of Health of the Nation, where some people in charge of the health area used to join, more than anything the Minister of the City of Buenos Aires, Fernán Quirós, a district where it directly impacts the virus.

There, in the building that was for Public Works in the 1940s, scientific-based consensus continues to be established. But, the speed of the health emergency led them to move to the Casa Rosada on several occasions, where they advised the President of the need to take drastic isolation measures to contain the arrival of COVID-19 and, thus, give the health system time to prepare to face the massive arrival of infections.

Fernández held three meetings in La Rosada with them and their councils were crucial for the change of direction that Argentina took in the greatest health challenge that humanity lived through, a pandemic of dramatic dimensions, for which there is still no proven retroviral or vaccine. Although the main powers are making enormous efforts to develop it, and as soon as possible.

Find out the latest on digital economy, startups, fintech, corporate innovation and blockchain. CLICK HERE