March 29, 2024

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Flu cases fill health facilities and patients wait on the floor;  Vaccination resumes in the afternoon |  Rio de Janeiro

Flu cases fill health facilities and patients wait on the floor; Vaccination resumes in the afternoon | Rio de Janeiro

Health units in Rio de Janeiro spent the early hours of Wednesday (the first) crowded due to the flu outbreak. Patients from different parts of the city say they have sought care with symptoms similar to those of Covid. In some cases, they were waiting on the floor. However, according to the tests conducted by the municipal health department, there is a prevalence of cases of influenza syndrome.

On Tuesday (30), the state government said that There was an increase in demand of 400%. For influenza care in emergency care units (UPA) operated by the state government.

“I was in so much pain, I’m pregnant. I had a fever of 43. It was a mess inside. I got in a wheelchair and it was really bad. I went in on my own, and they didn’t let my husband in with me. It’s hard,” said host Vivian da Silva.

At Barra da Tijuca CER, in the western area of ​​the city, patients came to wait while lying on the floor. During the night, there was no childcare.

Influenza outbreaks fill urban areas in Rio

“I was lying on the floor because they didn’t think to bring a stretcher. After waiting for five hours, I got help,” Gabriel dos Santos said.

Patients said they encountered overcrowding in health facilities.

In an interview with Bom dia Rio on Tuesday, Health Minister Alexander Ship said that, in many cases, UPAs are operating on a large scale and capacity is causing an increase in the search for care.

Ministry of Health says crowded hospitals do not represent an increase in Covid cases

Ministry of Health says crowded hospitals do not represent an increase in Covid cases

According to the Municipal Health Department, full health facilities do not represent an increase in Covid cases. The volume claims that 9,000 tests are performed per week. In the past three days alone, 12,000 coronavirus tests have been conducted. And the result of 99% of them was negative, which indicates the spread of influenza in the city of Rio.

The Secretary of State for Health notes that most cases are mild.

“Most of the cases we see are mild, with no major complications, but they do cause a more than 400% increase in the number of people with influenza-like illness being treated in state Department of Health emergency care units. It is a respiratory virus,” he said. Secretary Alexander Shebe.

The health unit is crowded due to flu cases in Rio de Janeiro – Photo: Engage/TV Globo

Patients lying on the floor at health care facilities in Rio – Photo: Injab/TV Globo

Vaccination must be resumed

The Rio Municipal Health Service expects these doses to be distributed throughout the morning and to resume vaccination at 2 p.m.

According to infection scientist Tânia Vergara, the recommendation is that residents continue to maintain healthcare and use a mask.

“If you have flu-like symptoms, don’t go to places where you will be in contact with other people and, in particular, wear a mask if you need to,” said Tania Vergara, president of the Infectology Society of Rio. de Janeiro.