The importance of the annual application of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines to reduce the risk of hospitalizations and associated deaths is recalled. It is equally essential to keep the regular vaccination schedule of children up to date, especially in those under 5 years of age.
There is also a need to intensify measures to prevent infections:
Correct use of face masks when experiencing symptoms. It is also highly recommended to use it when visiting a health facility.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or the crook of your elbow, not your hand; this practice reduces the dispersion of droplets and aerosols, as well as the contamination of surfaces.
Frequent hand washingas well as ventilation of rooms, and maintaining distance from people who have respiratory symptoms such as coughing or sneezing.
Rest if you have symptoms.
Parents are urged not to send their children to school or daycare with respiratory symptoms, to avoid contagion. It is also not advisable to go to work sick.
If you develop fever or respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, or other), seek medical attention and rest as indicated.
If the respiratory condition persists after completing rest, consult again for an evaluation.
Epidemiological situation
At the close of week (SE) 33, there was evidence of an increase in the reporting of respiratory symptoms.
In the last week evaluated, 33,211 flu consultations were identified nationwide, which reflects an increase of 9% compared to the previous week. With this, the trend curve remains above the alert threshold.
Regarding the proportion of hospitalized patients, the Sentinel Centers reported a 1% decrease compared to the previous week. In this last week, 377 patients were hospitalized for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). 58% correspond to pediatric age, with a predominance of children under 2 years of age in 59% of cases. Meanwhile, 42% of hospitalizations are concentrated in older patients, with 52% being over 60 years of age.
The weekly report indicates that SARS-CoV2, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus and influenza were identified in circulation among those hospitalized. Cases of Metapneumovirus, influenza and Parainfluenza were also recorded.
Among those hospitalized for influenza, 5.1% had received annual vaccination, while only 0.9% of those hospitalized with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV2 had access to immunization this year.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 epidemiological curve remains on an upward trend. Data show that in the last week (SE) 33, 247 confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV2 virus were identified, reflecting an increase of 27%. Fourteen regions in the country have cases of the infection. 37% of the cases come from the Central department.
In the last week, the highest number of infections is reported to be observed in the 20 to 39 age group (41%), followed by the 0 to 19 age group (23%).
A total of 2,955 samples for SARS-COV2 were processed this week, with a high positivity rate of 8.4%.
On the other hand, 35 people were hospitalized for COVID-19, and one was admitted to the intensive care unit. The highest number of hospitalized patients is observed in the group of adults over 60 years of age.
There were no confirmed deaths at the end of this week, but two retrospective deaths from previous weeks. This brings the total number of deaths from COVID-19 so far this year to 94.
Report on acute and severe respiratory infections
