Ternium has partnered with the Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro to donate 10,000 antigen tests to detect COVID-19.
The first batch with 5,000 units arrived this week to Santa Cruz primary healthcare units, and the second batch is to be delivered by the end of February. These tests, acquired from Abbott Laboratories (United States), comply with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, and results are obtained within up to 20 minutes.
In a ceremony held on Friday, February 5th to launch the partnership, Ternium Brazil Vice-President, Pedro Teixeira, highlighted that tests will be an important aid in mapping the new coronavirus pandemic in Santa Cruz neighborhood, where the steel plant is located.
“With the donation of these COVID-19 tests, Rio de Janeiro's City Hall will be able to identify infected people more rapidly to isolate them as soon as possible and thus decrease the virus infection rate. Ternium understands that both the industry and the community grow together, and with this donation, we strengthen Santa Cruz Healthcare System,” Pedro Teixeira explained.
The Municipal Health Secretary, Daniel Soranz, emphasized that screening the population is strategic to reduce COVID-19 infection in Rio de Janeiro:
“These 10,000 tests provided to the Municipal Health Secretariat will be very important to decrease infection due to COVID-19 in the region of Santa Cruz. From the testing, health teams are able to assist a patient and trace all the people who had contact with them, and thus block the spread of the virus. Another strategy is vaccination. People should get the vaccine. In addition to the immunization, the vaccine will also help reduce severe cases and deaths,” the Secretary explained.
The Community Relations Manager, Fernanda Candeias, highlighted the commitment to the population of Santa Cruz and the donations from Ternium since the beginning of the pandemic, which helped set up 25 ICU beds at Hospital Renaldo Gazolla, as well as equipping Hospital Pedro II. Primary healthcare units in Santa Cruz and the region were also provided with more than 30,000 personal protection items such as masks, gloves, face shields, and alcohol gel.
“This is another strong action by Ternium to help Santa Cruz fight the coronavirus. We have already donated BRL 5 million since the beginning of the pandemic in equipment, ventilators, monitors, and pumps to the Ronaldo Gazolla and Pedro II hospitals. And now we are providing these tests that will help Santa Cruz fight against COVID-19,” she stated. Moreover, Fernanda Candeias added that Ternium is discussing with the Municipal Health Secretariat with the aim of collaborating in the next phase of the vaccination campaign.