The Covid-19 Panorama, released today (6) by the Rio de Janeiro Health Department (SES-RJ) points to an increase in the positivity rate of antigen and RT-PCR tests used to detect the disease, but that is not reflected in hospitalizations and deaths. The exam shows, through a laboratory diagnosis, made by molecular biology, the presence of the genetic material (RNA) of the Sars-Cov-2 virus in respiratory secretion samples.
According to the secretariat, since last week there has been a continuous growth in these early indicators, which, however, do not configure a scenario similar to those that preceded the waves of the pandemic in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
“The RT-PCR positivity rate, an exam performed mostly in hospitalized patients, is 21.4%, when the 7-day moving average is calculated in the period from May 22 to 28. Using the same calculation, between May 15th and May 21st, positivity was at 15%. The positivity rate for antigen tests went from 18.4%, when calculating the 7-day moving average in the period from May 15 to 21, to 22%, between May 22 and 28. This data includes tests carried out in public and private health units in the state of Rio.
The Secretary of Health, Alexandre Chieppe, explained that we are in a period in which respiratory diseases tend to increase. “It’s what we call seasonality. We believe that this positivity rate, around 20%, is expected for covid-19 in the months of lower temperature. We are not seeing a significant increase in hospitalizations and this is due to the high vaccination coverage in the state. Therefore, it is essential that people return to the posts to receive the booster dose”.
The number of visits to cases of flu syndrome in Emergency Care Units (UPA), had an increase of 5% compared to last week. In the week of May 15 to 21, there were an average of 374 daily consultations of patients with flu syndrome, 237 of which were pediatric. In the week of May 22 to 28, the daily average of consultations was 396, of which 238 were pediatric.
“In the week of May 22 to 28, the daily average of requests for a covid-19 bed was six for the ICU and five for the infirmary. In the same period, the daily average of people waiting for a covid-19 bed was four for the ICU and two for the ward. There was no significant increase in hospitalizations and deaths caused by the disease. The SES attributes this factor to vaccination coverage in the state,” the note said.
The secretariat also informed that based on the contingency plan, measures are defined to be taken to contain the transmission of the virus. In May, the service capacity was expanded by 41 more pediatric beds in the state health network.
