Cities in São Paulo recommend mask use in schools amid Covid surge

Municipalities around the city of São Paulo have reinstated recommendations for students, teachers, and auxiliary staff to wear masks in schools, more than two months after the state revoked mask mandates for closed public spaces.

The backtrack comes amid a resurgence in Covid cases and deaths around the country, though the scenario in São Paulo state is not yet deemed alarming. Confirmed case and death averages have stopped falling nationwide, while the positive test ratio is on the up. Experts also warn that the rise of self-testing kits means accurate and updated case numbers are harder to come by.

However, in São Paulo state, the average number of new confirmed cases is in decline. The 2,239 seven-day rolling average recorded yesterday is 43 percent lower than two weeks ago, while average deaths have remained stable.

In the city of São Paulo, masks only remain obligatory on public transport and in health facilities, though some schools have reintroduced mandatory mask use in an effort to avoid suspending classes.

• #coronavirus
• #maskUse
• #schools