Influenced by the high transmissibility of the Ômicron variant of Covid-19, private hospitals in the state of Rio de Janeiro have already noticed a ‘significant’ increase in the number of patients infected by the virus. And, according to a projection made by the Association of Hospitals of the State of Rio de Janeiro (AHERJ), several private units already have a waiting list of at least four hours. The information was obtained by CNN this Thursday (6).
Despite not having closed numbers yet, according to Graccho Alvim, director of AHERJ, the number of patients with flu-like illness jumped significantly from the beginning of January, a few days after the Christmas and New Year celebrations. He explains that the symptoms of the disease usually intensify until the ninth day of infection and, therefore, the demand for emergency rooms should increase even further in the next week.
“Due to the high number of cases of flu syndrome and the great demand in recent days, we should expect a significant increase in hospitalizations for the next week. Up to the ninth day of infection, an explosion of cytokines can occur, generating a severe inflammatory condition in patients”, said the director of AHERJ.
A CNN found that the Samaritano hospital, located in the south of the city of Rio, registered a 40% increase in emergency room visits, compared to the same period in December, due to the spread of the Ômicron variant. “There is a significant increase in patients with Covid-19, especially in the younger population”, highlights the statement.
At the Pró-Cardiaco Hospital, also in the South Zone, the increase in attendances was even more noticeable: a growth of over 120% in January, when compared to the previous month.
Located in the western part of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Hospital Vitório showed a 90% increase in emergency room visits, compared to the same periods in December, November and October. “There is a significant increase in patients with respiratory symptoms, with influenza cases reaching a plateau in December and are currently declining. On the other hand, the Covid-19 cases continue to rise”, says the official position of the unit.
A CNN asked the state and city hall for data on people interned in public networks in Rio de Janeiro and is awaiting a return. This Thursday night (06), on his social networks, the city’s municipal health secretary, Daniel Soranz, said that 92.3% of those admitted to municipal units did not have a complete vaccination schedule.
Reference: CNN Brasil
