The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) released the InfoGripe bulletin again on Friday (14). The return comes after more than a month without updates, due to the blackout of data on the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil, due to a cyber attack suffered by the Ministry of Health in December.
Fiocruz’s analysis shows a strong sign of growth of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the long term (considering the last six weeks) and short term (last three weeks). According to the bulletin, the trend has continued since the publication of the last report, referring to the week of November 28 to December 4.
In an interview with CNN, InfoGripe coordinator Marcelo Gomes, researcher at the Scientific Computing Program (PROCC/Fiocruz), stated that Brazil is experiencing an epidemiological scenario of attention, due to the increase in the number of cases of Covid-19.
“In the current scenario, from an epidemiological and public health point of view, unfortunately, it does not seem appropriate for us to have carnival celebrations. We are in a very intense situation of very accelerated growth, impact of hospitalizations. If we let it grow, it can create an extremely serious problem once again,” he said.
According to the InfoGripe bulletin, there was a 135% increase in SARS cases in the last three weeks of November compared to the last three weeks. The number rose from 5,600 cases to 13,000. “The speed with which Covid-19 spreads among the population grew, weekly, from 4% to 30%”, said Gomes.
According to the researcher, the lack of accurate data on the number of cases and deaths of Covid-19 and the progress of vaccination in the country hampered the direction of actions by managers and health authorities in dealing with the pandemic. According to Gomes, statistics are also essential for the population to adhere to preventive measures against the disease.
“Public agents need adequate, systematized and well-analyzed information to be able to make the necessary recommendations and standards due to the epidemiological scenario. The population needs this information to evaluate and embrace the measures implemented by the authorities”, warned Gomes.
Reference: CNN Brasil
