The new InfoGripe Bulletin of Fiocruz signals growth in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) among the elderly, probably due to Covid-19, in some states in the North and Northeast regions – Acre, Pará and Pernambuco. In the last four epidemiological weeks, the prevalence among positive cases of Sars-CoV-2 (Covid-19) was 30%. Among deaths, the recorded rate was 63%.
The analysis also shows a trend towards an interruption in growth and a decrease in SARS cases due to Covid-19 in states in the Center-South region. The update points out that only two of the country’s 27 federative units, Minas Gerais and Pernambuco, show signs of increase.
According to the study, the reduction in SARS cases observed in the national aggregate is due to a drop or interruption in the growth of occurrences associated with Covid-19 and rhinovirus in several states of the country, although both viruses still show an increasing trend in others states.
InfoGripe also highlights the decrease in the number of serious cases caused by the rhinovirus, which mainly affects children and adolescents up to 14 years of age. This scenario was observed in almost all states in the country, with the exception of Santa Catarina and Pernambuco, where there is an increase in serious cases of the virus.
Researcher at the Scientific Computing Program at Fiocruz and InfoGripe, Tatiana Portella reinforces the importance of vaccination against Covid-19, especially for individuals who are part of risk groups such as the elderly, children and people with comorbidities.
“I would also like to reinforce the importance of vaccination in young children, as this is one of the groups, along with the elderly, with the highest incidence of hospitalizations due to the virus. So it is very important that parents take their children to be vaccinated against Covid-19”, says Portella.
Other recommendations are the use of a mask in closed places – with greater crowds of people and inside health centers -, especially for those who live in regions where an increase in SARS cases has been observed. And if symptoms appear, the researcher draws attention to the idea that the ideal is to stay at home in isolation, avoiding transmitting the virus. “If this is not possible, it is recommended to leave the house wearing a good mask.”
