Acute Respiratory Distress Hospitalizations in Brazil Grew by Over 500 Percent

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The number of hospitalizations caused by acute respiratory distress recorded in the four months of this year grew 506 percent over the same period in 2019, according to data from the Ministry of Health.

Between January 1st and April 30th, 82,312 hospitalizations were recorded as due to severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS). Of this total, 5,901 deaths were recorded. The government is investigating how many of these deaths were in fact caused by Covid-19 or other respiratory diseases.

Underreporting of coronavirus cases in the country is high. Research studies have already estimated that the official numbers should be multiplied by up to ten times. In many states, there are burials taking place without the completion of investigations into the causes of deaths.

The number of tests and infection confirmations, despite currently higher, are still unable to provide a more precise overview of the national picture. In practice, the country lacks a clear notion of the tragedy that is spreading.

Brazil ended April with a total of 5,901 deaths and 85,380 people contaminated by the novel coronavirus. In 24 hours, the country recorded 435 deaths and 7,218 new cases of covid-19 infection.

Of this total, there are 43,544 cases under surveillance (51 percent) while another 35,935 patients have recovered (42 percent). The Ministry of Health reported that it is investigating the cause of 1,539 deaths.

Source: Estadão Conteúdo

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