Cases of Covid-19 in Brazil increased 701% between January and March – Fiocruz

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The number of cases of Covid-19 in Brazil increased by no less than 701.58% between Epidemiological Week (EW)#1 in January 2021 and EW#13 at the end of March 2021, according to the latest Bulletin of the Fiocruz Covid-19 Observatory released this Saturday, April 10.

The number of deaths followed the trend and grew by 468.57% in the same period, showing the progression of the disease in the country.

The biggest increases in cases and deaths were registered in the 30 to 59 age brackets. The largest increase in the disease cases was in the 30 to 39 age group, 1,218.33%, followed by the 40 to 49 age group, 1,217.95%. In the increase in the number of deaths, the growth of 872.73% in the 20 to 29 age group and 813.95% in the 30 to 39 age group is noteworthy.

The progressive increase in the number of cases and deaths and the pandemic’s rejuvenation has some implications, as the bulletin points out. “This change in the profile of cases and deaths contributes to increased pressure on the health care system, potentially prolonging the average length of hospitalization.

“Also, since this is a population with increased circulation due to work activities, it is important to consider the potential for increased transmissibility due to this rejuvenation. Therefore, this phenomenon requires attention from managers for an intensification of the adoption of mitigation measures, such as those of physical and social distancing.”

The new bulletin warns of an upsurge of the pandemic in the coming days in the South and Center-West regions.

The highest Covid-19 incidence rates were observed in Rondônia, Amapá, Tocantins, Espírito Santo, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso, and the Federal District. The highest mortality rates were seen in Rondônia, Tocantins, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Goiás, and the Federal District. This pattern, points out the bulletin, places the South and Center-West regions at the epicenter of the country’s epidemic in the coming weeks, which can be further aggravated by the saturation of the health system in these states.

To face the current scenario, the bulletin points out that it is essential to combine different measures involving non-pharmacological ones, the health system, and social protection and assistance policies and actions to reduce vulnerability and social impact.

“There must be convergence and integration of the different powers of the Brazilian State (Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary), as well as the different levels of government (municipal, state, and federal), with the participation of companies, institutions, and civil society organizations to face this very critical and serious moment of the pandemic,” the bulletin warns.

As an example of good solutions against the pandemic’s advance in Brazil, the bulletin cites the blocking measures adopted in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, the metropolitan region of Salvador, Bahia, and the municipality of Araraquara in São Paulo. The positive impacts of these measures in countries like Italy and Spain are also cited.