Positive Covid-19 tests drop eight percentage points in one week

Despite the rise in cases of Covid-19, laboratory data indicate that the new wave of infection is already decreasing.

According to the Instituto Todos Pela Saúde, the positivity of tests for SARS-CoV-2 peaked at 41% in the week ended November 19 and then started to fall. Until November 26, the percentage of positive tests recorded was 33%.

According to the Institute, this could be a sign that the third wave of the Omicron should be less acute than the previous ones. The analyzes are based on 493,140 tests performed by partner laboratories Dasa, DB Molecular and HLAGyn, from February 1st to November 26th.

Waves have different characteristics. The first of Ômicron, started in December 2022, lasted two and a half months, and the peak remained for two weeks. The second, starting in April, was the longest: it lasted four and a half months and had a peak week. The third wave, which started in October, has so far been a month and a half old, and also peaks in a week.

Regarding age groups, positivity increases, in general, as age advances. In the last week evaluated, the rate was 11% in children aged 0 to 4 years and 5 to 9 years. Afterwards, it rose to 23% in the 10 to 19 age group. The highest percentages were observed in people from 50 to 59 years old and over 80 years old (47%), from 70 to 79 years old (46%) and from 60 to 69 years old (45%).

When we look at the states with an adequate number of tests for analysis, positivity is falling in São Paulo (40% to 35%) and Rio de Janeiro (45% to 36%).

Oscillation was presented in Minas Gerais (28% to 29%) and continues to grow in Goiás (27% to 34%). It is important to emphasize that Brazil, as a huge country, has different dynamics of the pandemic within its territory. Test positivity is an indicator of viral transmissions.

ITpS warns that, although the third wave of Omicron appears to be falling, the positivity rate of 33% is high, which indicates high contagion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The recommendation is that the population has up-to-date vaccinations (three, four or five doses, depending on age and health condition), wear a mask especially in closed places with little ventilation, wash your hands and get tested in case of suspicion.