Public health policies aimed at mitigating the Covid-19 pandemic in the State of Paraná

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic, triggered by Sars-CoV-2, represented one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. The disease, characterized by respiratory symptoms that can progress to severe forms, has caused millions of deaths worldwide and brought about profound social and economic changes. This study aims to classify the public health policies adopted by the state of Paraná to mitigate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. To this end, the following specific objectives were established: To classify the contradictions and constraints of Paraná's state health policy during the proposed period of analysis. To assess the social impacts on the population of Paraná during the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The introduction surveys cases and deaths from Covid-19 in the state of Paraná, considering the period from 2020 to 2024; analyzes the trajectory of state policy, verifying the temporal evolution of health policies implemented by the State of Paraná in addressing the pandemic, identifying the main measures adopted in each phase. The methodology used in this study includes a bibliographic survey on Covid-19 and public health policies, as well as the collection and systematization of official data on cases, deaths, and measures adopted by the state government. The results obtained allowed us to understand how the state of Paraná responded to the Covid-19 pandemic, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the public policies implemented. The analysis of the temporal trajectory of the policies made it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures adopted and identify the main lessons learned. The relaxation of social distancing, the encouragement of chloroquine use, the late start of vaccination, and the return to in-person classes aggravated the situation in the municipalities, increasing the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.