The Minister of Public Health of Tucumán, Luis Medina Ruiz, reported that an outbreak of bilateral pneumonia was detected in six patients, of which one died last Mondaya fact that is being investigated because until now they have not been able to find its origin and etiology.
“We have detected six patients with bilateral pneumonia, of which one -belonging to health personnel- died last Monday, four are seriously hospitalized, and one is in home isolation,” Medina Ruiz said today at a press conference.
The cases “have already been investigated for Covid, flu, influenza A and B, hantavirus and a panel with FilmArray to rule out 25 germs, giving all this negative,” reported the head of the Tucuman Health portfolio.
The doctor explained that currently “two patients are hospitalized in a private sanatorium with mechanical respiratory assistance; two hospitalized in a public hospital with mechanical respiratory assistance and one patient, who is also a health worker, in preventive isolation at home with a non-severe condition. “.
“Possibly it is an infectious etiological agent, and we must demonstrate that and find out what it is, if it is a viral infectious germ of not so severe contagion,” said Medina Ruiz, who added that since last August 22 there has been no new patients with this picture.
“This is positive news because it means that, if it is an infectious or contagious agent, there was no close contact, either work or family that has symptoms related to them,” he said.
The provincial official asked the population for peace of mind and pointed out that “the situation is under control, the patients are hospitalized, isolated and there is strict monitoring by our teams in coordination with the hospitals and sanatoriums where they are located.”
“For now we have to wait for the good evolution of the patients, mainly the four who are in serious condition with mechanical ventilation, their condition is of a reserved nature”he explained.
In turn, the Minister of Health reported that “the samples taken have already been sent to Malbrán and we are awaiting the results. It is very likely that before the weekend we will have a response, and if it is before we will inform you.”
Likewise “We continue to investigate in terms of the environment since we do not want to rule out any etiology, among the possible causes are, of course, infectious and others that are toxic or environmental, that is why we are analyzing the water, air conditioning discharges, that is, other situations that generate similar episodes. What these patients have in common is the severe respiratory condition with bilateral pneumonia and compromise in images very similar to Covid, but that is ruled out “said the doctor.
He also said that yesterday he maintained communication with the Nation’s Health Minister, Carla Vizzotti, “who is aware of what is happening and offered her support in terms of teams of experts if required.”
The minister recalled that one must continue “using a mask, performing hand hygiene, drinking water consumption and washing food from cans or containers.”
He also asked society “to always look for the official versions and information, we are going to be predisposed and willing to report what is happening, if there is any news we will communicate it.”
“As soon as we have any news, whether due to the result of an investigation, the aggravation of a patient or new infections, we are going to communicate it. Our route is going to be this, the official one, and when there is important information that merits it, it will be communicated to you. “, he concluded.
