The first 80 days of the covid-19 pandemic in the city of belo horizonte: From containment to reopening

The paper examines the implications of Co-vid-19 pandemic for the city of Belo Hori-zonte (BH), during the first 80 days of the disease We use a descriptive-analytical approach to estimate the growth of Covid-19 cases over time, the excess of deaths, the virus’ rate of transmissibility, and the con-sequent burden on the municipal the health system, measured by the rate of occupancy of public hospital beds Also, we identify the main containment policies adopted by local authorities, and the implications of reopening measures and the following reduction of social distancing Our findings reveal that a well-managed Unified Health System (SUS) is paramount to effectively tackle the pandemic and its consequences for the popula-tion The reopening process has imposed new challenges that will require close monitoring by the authorities and by the society © 2020, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais All rights reserved