Santa Catarina is among 15 Brazilian states that are showing signs of a long-term increase in cases of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) among adults, according to a new Infogripe bulletin released this Wednesday (23) by Fiocruz (Oswaldo Cruz Foundation).

SARS cases can be caused by various diseases, including Covid-19. According to the document, the increase in the number of registered in the state is due to the increase in the number of infections caused by the new coronavirus, with active cases increasing by 94% in a week.

Florianopolis, the capital of Santa Catarina, sees an increase in cases of SARS — Photo: Freepik/Banco de Imagens/ND

The institution recommends the resumption of the use of masks in environments with high exposure to the virus, such as: public transport, closed or poorly ventilated places, agglomerations and in first-aid posts. It is suggested to use N95 or PFF2 models.

The data published by the Fiocruz Bulletin refer to the period from 13 to 19 November. The analysis is based on data entered into Sivep-Gripp (Influenza Surveillance Information System) up to 21 November.

In addition to Santa Catarina, the following states are showing signs of growth: Alagoas, Bahia, Ceara, Federal District, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Piaui, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande de Janeiro, Roraima, Santa Catarina and Sao Paulo.

Another important piece of information published in the bulletin concerns the rise in cases of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). The parasite maintains a significant presence in children aged 0 to 4 in São Paulo, in addition to re-growth in this population in RS and SC, Fiocruz said.

Florianopolis has an increase

Among the capitals, Florianopolis is among the 17 that show signs of Srag’s long-term growth. “Most of these states are seeing increases in the adult population and in the over 60 age group, which is consistent with the increase in Covid-19-related hospitalizations,” Fiocrus said.

“In Amazonas, where the increase in positive adult COVID-19 cases began earlier, this scenario did not translate into a significant and sustained increase in SARS cases reported in SIVEP-Flu. The slight increase identified in October is already showing signs of stabilizing at a relatively low level,” he said.

“However, the epidemiological scenario of other states reinforces the importance of maintaining active surveillance to track any changes in a timely manner,” the document concludes.