Covid-19: Cases and deaths decline in Brazil; Rio de Janeiro state is exception

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Over the past few weeks, the occupancy rates of Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds for adults in the National Health System (SUS) have dropped, a rate that has been improving in Brazil.

The exception is the state of Rio, which is showing a rise in the indicator for the 3rd consecutive week, reaching again the 70% level, which had not occurred since mid-June.

According to the report, overall mortality rate in Brazil decreased by 0.9% per day, while the incidence rate of Covid-19 cases dropped by 1.5% per day. The highest incidence rates occurred in the Midwest (Mato Grosso, Goiás, and the Federal District), the South (Paraná and Santa Catarina), and some Northern states (Roraima and Tocantins).

The highest mortality rates were also recorded in Midwestern states (Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso and Goiás), in addition to Paraná, Rio de Janeiro and Roraima.

The Covid-19 Observatory study points out that the circulation of the virus is still high. “This scenario is worrisome when considering that transmission remains high and the Delta variant is in circulation in several municipalities, with the potential to spread,” the scientists responsible for the study say.

Delta variant

The epidemiological scenario in Rio de Janeiro state has several identified cases of Covid-19 due to the Delta variant, in addition to signaling an increased incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Rio Grande do Norte, Bahia, and Paraná also show evidence of SARS/Covid-19 over the past six weeks. About 98% of SARS cases with positive confirmation are due to infection with the novel coronavirus.

The researchers stress the importance of ramping up vaccination, wearing masks, and physical distance. “There is also a resumption of movement of people on the streets close to the pre-pandemic pattern, due to a feeling that the pandemic is over, contributing to a relaxation of prevention measures by people and managers,” the report says.

According to scientists, in addition to the Delta variant, the renewed rise in cases is a reflection of the slow progress in vaccination coverage, considering not only the first dose, but the full vaccination cycle with the second dose.

According to the report, in light of this situation it is crucial to adapt the health services to the new phase of the pandemic in Brazil, stepping up surveillance, testing, and contact tracing. It is also essential to reinforce primary health care actions, capable of identifying cases that require intensive care, which also enables the interruption of transmission chains.

Bed occupancy rates

In addition to Rio, Paraná also registered an increase in its bed occupancy rate. The occupancy rate of adult Covid-19 beds in the state increased from 59% to 61% and there was also a significant increase in the indicator in the state capital, Curitiba (65% to 73%).

Rondônia left the alert zone, with a drop in the indicator from 63% to 52%. There were significant drops in the indicator in Mato Grosso (79% to 61%), with an increase in beds available (553 to 584), and in Goiás (78% to 69%), with no significant change in the number of beds.

Deaths

With the expansion of vaccination coverage for younger age groups, the pandemic’s rejuvenation process in Brazil has been reversed. Once again, hospital and ICU admissions, and deaths were concentrated in the elderly population, which is the most vulnerable among the age groups.

According to the report, the decline in some age groups is stagnating, particularly among the elderly, which alerts to a potential increase in hospital admissions and deaths among the older population, even though most have been vaccinated.