Covid-19 causes an increase in severe acute respiratory syndrome in 7 states

The new edition of the weekly newsletter Infogripe, published on Monday (27) by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), reveals an increase in the number of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases in the country. Laboratory analyzes indicate that COVID-19 is the leading cause of incidence growth among adults and the elderly in seven states: Bahia, Ceará, Para, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo.

The Fiocruz survey provides an analysis of the past three weeks (short term) and the past six weeks (long term). Researchers observed a short-term stabilization scenario for most of the country. However, in the long-term trend, 18 federal units showed signs of growth in cases: Amazonas, Amapá, Bahia, Ceará, Federal District, Espiritu Santo, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul South Rio de Janeiro, Rondonia, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Sergipe and Tocantins.

SARS is a respiratory complication that requires hospitalization and is often associated with an exacerbation of the viral infection. The patient may experience respiratory discomfort and a decreased oxygen saturation level, among other symptoms.

Taking into account national data, in the past four epidemic weeks, the prevalence among SARS cases with a positive diagnosis of viral infection was 3% for influenza A; 3.3% for influenza B; 32.1% for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); and 48.6% for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Looking at only accidents that resulted in death, 83.3% were related to the coronavirus.

The records related to the coronavirus mainly include adults and the elderly. But the bulletin also draws attention to the increase in SARS cases last month in children and adolescents as a result of infection with other viruses. Although some states have already recorded stabilization or decline among adolescents, there is still a scenario of increased incidence among young children, particularly in the southeastern and southern regions of the country.

In Bahia, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Santa Catarina and to a lesser extent in São Paulo, there is an increase in positive cases of rhinovirus in the age group up to 11 years. It is also possible that in some states we will see an increase in frequencies involving young children associated with RSV.

The researchers indicated that parents should take their children to health centers during the vaccination campaign against Covid-19, which began on February 27, and also to receive vaccination against influenza virus (influenza A and B), which contributes to the prevention of coronavirus. Severe cases of difficulty breathing.

In all, 27,528 SARS cases have already been recorded in the country in 2023, of which at least 9,676 (35.1%) are linked to some viral infection. Another 3,180 (11.6%) are still being analyzed.

The Infogripe leaflet takes into account the notifications registered in Sivep-flu, an information system maintained by the Ministry of Health and fed by states and municipalities. the new version, Available in full on the Fiocruz portalbased on data entered through March 13.