RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Seventeen states and the Federal District are registering Covid-19 ICU bed occupancy of 80% or more, according to a new report by the Covid-19 Fiocruz Observatory, released on Wednesday evening, May 26. In the latest epidemiological week (from May 16 to 22), the analysis shows that there was an increase in the incidence rates of new Covid-19 cases.
Given this scenario, experts alert that the pandemic will intensify in the coming weeks. The average number of daily deaths is expected to rise to 2,200.
Between May 17 and 24, 2021, Covid-19 ICU bed occupancy for adults in the National Health System (SUS) either increased or remained stable, at high levels, in virtually all of Brazil.
Nine states register occupancy rates equal to or higher than 90%: Piauí (91%), Ceará (92%), Rio Grande do Norte (97%), Pernambuco (98%), Sergipe (99%), Paraná (96%), Santa Catarina (95%), Mato Grosso do Sul (99%) and the Federal District (96%).
Nine states register Covid-19 ICU bed occupancy rates for adults between 80% and 89%: Roraima (83%), Tocantins (86%), Alagoas (89%), Bahia (83%), Minas Gerais (80%), Rio de Janeiro (83%), São Paulo (80%), Mato Grosso (87%) and Goiás (84%). Only 2 are out of the alert zone: Acre (47%) and Amazonas (57%).
Another worrisome issue is the rejuvenation of the pandemic, which is spreading among younger patients. Associated with the circulation of new variants of the virus in the country, the phenomenon is leading to more critical consequences among younger groups.
The study found that the greater exposure of this age group is associated with precarious working and transportation conditions, in addition to the resumption of economic and leisure activities. Measures to relax restrictions implemented in March have been taken in several states and municipalities.
“This context will create a new pressure on the entire health system. The increase in the number of hospitalizations, as shown by the new increase in ICU bed occupancy rates, is a result of this new pandemic scenario in Brazil,” the report points out.
The researchers highlight the urgent need to intensify health surveillance actions and strengthen testing strategies for suspected cases and their contacts (including genomic surveillance). In addition, they call for control of international flights and maintenance of restrictions on mass events and activities that promote interaction and infection of susceptible groups.
To prevent a worsening of the pandemic and a new collapse of the health system, the report calls on the federal government to “assume a leadership role and responsibility in developing coherent strategies aimed at preventing the transmission of the disease in the country.” This would include the implementation of measures such as blockades and lockdowns to reduce the circulation of the virus and address the increasing number of cases.