The government of Rio Grande do Sul declared this Friday (3) a state of public health emergency throughout the state “to prevent and combat Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), with an emphasis on children”.
SARSs are accompanied by hospitalization for respiratory conditions, largely caused by the flu (influenza) and Covid-19 (coronavirus) viruses.
The data used to justify the declaration of emergency were collected between January 1st and April 8th, 2024. SES reported that, compared to the same period last year, there was a 246% increase in cases of respiratory diseases in the state.
According to the government, these factors may represent a high risk for the population, given the potential for extrapolation of the health system's reaction capacity, especially in the pediatric area.
The decree will be valid for 120 days and may be extended depending on the evolution of epidemiological data.
The guidance is that during this period, hospitals that provide services to the Unified Health System (SUS) should prioritize the provision of clinical beds for ventilatory support and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for SARS cases. Municipalities will be able to establish complementary measures, according to each reality.
Numbers in RS
In absolute numbers, 2,025 cases of hospitalization due to SARS have been recorded so far in 2024, resulting in 289 deaths.
According to SES, the main respiratory viruses identified this year were:
- Covid-19 (54%);
- Influenza A (24%);
- RSV (20%)
In relation to the number of deaths caused by them, the order followed is the same, but in a different percentage:
- Covid-19 (85%),
- Influenza A (13%)
- RSV (0.7%)
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
