Karina Rando, Minister of Health of Uruguay, assured that her country remains alert against COVID-19 / Photo: EFE
The Minister of Public Health of Uruguay, Karina Rando, assured this Monday that the increase in covid-19 cases that she reported last week was “circumstantial” and “not important”, so (this increase) remains stable .
This was indicated in a press conference in which he explained that at the moment he does not consider it necessary to alert the population or change procedures.
Likewise, Rando confirmed that admissions to intensive care units have not increased and pointed out that data on cases at the population level is not available because there is currently no mass testing.
Regarding a new vaccination booster, he stated that this will arrive “whenever it is necessary”, regardless of the recent increase in cases and that the forecast continues to be to vaccinate once a year.
Reality
“This is dynamic, and if at any time a second dose per year is required, it will be given,” said the minister, who recalled that “it is a new disease” that is being seen how it behaves after the pandemic.
And he added: “For now this increase was circumstantial and was not important. Therefore, it does not merit a new dose of vaccination, but we are always attentive to see if behaviors need to change.”
Rando assured last Wednesday that there was an increase in Covid-19 cases in the region and also in his country, which is why the alert centers had been notified.
“The alert centers have been notified. The sentinel centers that we have in Uruguay have been notified of this increase in covid and we are very attentive to see if it is really a temporary increase or if it is going to be a sustained increase that will require some other type of intervention, vaccination or whatever by the Ministry of Public Health,” he pointed out at that time.
Figures
Uruguay began vaccination against covid-19 on March 1, 2021 and since that moment more than 2,900,000 people received two doses and about 2,080,000 received three.
On the other hand, about 850,000 people have four doses and just over 180,000 received a fifth.
Montevideo / EFE
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**Interview with Karina Rando, Minister of Public Health of Uruguay**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Rando. Recently, you reported a slight increase in COVID-19 cases in Uruguay. Can you elaborate on the nature of this increase and its implications?
**Karina Rando:** Thank you for having me. Yes, we’ve seen a circumstantial rise in cases, but I want to emphasize that it is not significant. The overall situation remains stable, and there’s no cause for alarm. We are closely monitoring the data, but at this time, our healthcare system is not under pressure.
**Interviewer:** That’s reassuring to hear. Were there specific areas that saw a higher number of cases, or is this increase more widespread?
**Karina Rando:** The increase appears to be quite local and does not indicate a broader epidemic pattern across the country. We are analyzing the data to ensure any localized spikes are addressed properly, but currently, there are no concerning trends.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned in your press conference that admissions to intensive care units have not risen. How does that impact your approach moving forward?
**Karina Rando:** For now, the stability in ICU admissions allows us to maintain our existing protocols without introducing new measures. Our priority is to keep the public safe, and we will continue to adjust our response plan based on real-time data.
**Interviewer:** With this slight rise in cases, what message would you like to convey to the population of Uruguay?
**Karina Rando:** I would like to remind the public to remain vigilant but not to panic. It’s crucial that we continue following health guidelines, especially regarding vaccinations and preventive measures. We’re in this together, and adherence to protocols can help keep the situation under control.
**Interviewer:** Thank you very much, Minister Rando, for your time and clarity on the current situation.
**Karina Rando:** Thank you! It’s important to keep the public informed, and I appreciate the opportunity to share this information.
