Cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) related to covid-19 maintained a downward trend in most Brazilian states, mainly in the center-south region. Despite this, four federative units showed signs of progress in SARS numbers: Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso, Paraíba and Tocantins. According to the study, these records occurred mainly in the elderly, children and adolescents up to 14 years of age. The information comes from the InfoGripe bulletin released this Thursday (24) by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz).
The InfoGripe bulletin also showed that, in the national aggregate, there is a sign of a drop in the long-term trend, which is the last six weeks, and in the short-term trend, the last three weeks. Fiocruz’s analysis is based on data entered into the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (Sivep-Gripe), referring to Epidemiological Week (SE) 42, between October 13th and 19th.
According to researcher Tatiana Portella, from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation’s Scientific Computing Program (Procc/Fiocruz) and InfoGripe, those who followed the publication in recent weeks became aware of a recent wave of covid-19, which began around the week 32, but a drop in the number of cases has already been observed in recent weeks, especially in the states of the central-south region. The researcher highlights the interruption of growth, or beginning of a decline, in the states of Pernambuco and Acre, while Mato Grosso, Pará and Paraíba show a slight sign of an increase in hospitalization of the elderly, most likely associated with Covid-19.
The InfoGripe Bulletin also points to a sign of an increase in SARS in children and adolescents up to 14 years of age. In the states of Espírito Santo and Tocantins, where there is also an increase in SARS records in this age group, it was not possible to identify the type of virus responsible. In both states, it is not known exactly which virus has led to the increase in SARS cases among children and adolescents. It could be one of those viruses that affect children, such as RSV, rhinovirus or even metapneumovirus, adds the researcher.
Among the capitals, João Pessoa, Manaus and São Luís have shown progress in SARS cases.
Tatiana Portella reinforces the importance of adopting the indicated prevention measures. “We maintain the usual recommendations. For residents of states with an increase in SARS cases, the ideal is to wear masks in closed places, with greater crowds of people and within health centers”, says the researcher. For everyone, the use of masks is recommended if they arise symptoms.
The use of a mask is also essential every time signs of flu syndrome appear. “Ideally, in case of any sign of flu syndrome, such as runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat, the person leaves the house wearing a good mask to avoid transmit respiratory viruses to other people, especially if you cannot rest at home to recover from the infection”, he adds.
In addition to these recommendations, Tatiana emphasizes the relevance of immunization. “We reinforce the importance of vaccination against Covid-19. It is very important that people, especially those in risk groups, are up to date with their vaccine against the virus.”
Results
In the epidemiological year 2024, 147,782 notifications of SARS cases were made, of which 69,954 (47.3%) had a positive laboratory result for a respiratory virus, 61,932 (41.9%) were negative, while 8,082 (5.5%) are awaiting laboratory results.
Among this year’s positive cases, 17.8% are influenza A; 1.3%, from influenza B; 36.9% from respiratory syncytial virus; 25.4% from rhinovirus; and 19.0% of Sars-CoV-2 (covid-19).
Fiocruz emphasizes that positivity data for recent weeks “is subject to major changes in subsequent updates due to the flow of case notifications and the insertion of associated laboratory results”.
Deaths
This year, 9,040 deaths have already been recorded, of which 4,677 (51.7%) had a positive laboratory result for a respiratory virus; 3,632 (40.2%), negative; while 165 (1.8%) are awaiting results. Of the positive results this year, 28.4% are from influenza A; 1.5%, influenza B; 8.9% from respiratory syncytial virus; 8.5%; of rhinovirus, and 52.0% of Sars-CoV-2 (covid-19). “In the last four epidemiological weeks, the prevalence among positive cases was 17.2% for influenza A; 6.8%, for influenza B; 1.7%, for respiratory syncytial virus; 7.4%, for rhinovirus; and 61.8% for Sars-CoV-2 (covid-19), concludes the InfoGripe Bulletin.
