In Santa Catarina, 9,877 people have been reported with Covid-19 in the last week. That number makes up almost 18% of disease records in 2022, indicating that the state continues to have a high incidence rate.

Rapid nasal swab test for Covid-19 detection, UBS 1 – Brasília-DF, 01/07/2021, Photo: Myke Sena/MS – Photo: Myke Sena/ND

The data was published in the latest Necat/UFSC (Santa Catarina Economic Research Center) newsletter this Wednesday (22). During this year, 54,766 people were infected.

The continuous infection has brought the average daily rate of new cases to 1,411 per day over the past week. According to Nekat, the level can be considered quite high if we compare the same indicator in the last months of 2021, when there were an average of 350 to 400 daily entries.

According to the state government’s epidemiological matrix last Monday (20), there are 38 cities in Santa Catarina with a high incidence of Covid-19 per 100,000 inhabitants.

It should be noted that the municipalities in which the incidence of 200 or more cases per 100,000 inhabitants are registered in the previous epidemiological week belong to a high level.

Also, according to Nezat, since the beginning of the second half of January, an acceleration in mortality was observed in the state, which continued with positive fluctuations in the analyzed week. To date, 1,742 deaths have been reported this year.

Over the past week, the average daily mortality has decreased and remained at a very low level compared to January and February.

The North Northeast Plateau and Vale do Itajaí regions account for approximately 42% of all new cases reported in the state. The South and Greater Florianopolis regions accounted for over 28% of new registrations.

The Midwest/Serra and Grand Oeste regions, in contrast to previous weeks, also saw an increase in new cases: 22% of the total new Covid-19 cases in the state, indicating continuity of infection.

Buying a bed from a private chain

Until noon this Wednesday (22), Santa Catarina had a baby, six children and six adults in line for intensive care beds (ICU). Due to pressure on the healthcare system on Tuesday (21), Justice determined the state has 48 hours to buy beds from a private chain. The deadline ends this Thursday (23).

The decision, taken at the request of the MPSC (Ministry of State of Santa Catarina), stipulates that the state government buys beds at HRO (Regional Hospital do Oeste) and Hospital da Criança, both in Chapeco and in the neonatology department and the pediatric intensive care unit in private networks.

Within 48 hours, the state must complete the determination by this Thursday (23). The SES (Secretary of State for Health) said he was called this Wednesday morning (22) and is working on directions to respond within the legal deadline.