Introduction:

COVID-19 pandemic requires permanent adaptations in management depending on the epidemiological situation.

Objective:

To analyze the epidemiological behavior of COVID-19 in Cali (Colombia) after ending the face mask mandate in open and enclosed spaces between March 1 and July 11 of 2022.

Materials and methods:

An observational descriptive study of COVID-19 cases and cumulative incidence (CI) for 7 days with two temporary milestones: refusal of the obligatory use of face masks in open and enclosed environments, using data published by the National Institute of Health. The temporary tendency was evaluated with the Mann-Kendall non parametric test.

Results:

Differences were found between the first and second milestone; 922 cases in 75 days vs. 12,037 in 59 days; Tau=-0.22 vs. 0.57, S=-608 vs. 968, Var(S)=47,574.66 versus 233,280.66; Sen slope=-0.10 (IC95%: -0.18 and -0.03) versus 7.39 (IC95%: 5.23 and 8.88). After the second milestone, the CI increased with a positive tendency (S=23, p=0.006).

Conclusions:

The significant increases of COVID-19 cases and the CI coincided with the ending of the face mask mandate in enclosed spaces. Therefore, it is advisable to return to the use of face masks in enclosed spaces, strengthen infodemic management, promote vaccination, and improve natural ventilation.

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