Rio Grande Reports No New SRAG-Related Deaths in Latest Weekly Bulletin
Rio Grande, Brazil – November 6, 2023 – Rio Grande Health Surveillance released its latest weekly bulletin on Monday detailing cases of Acute Severe Respiratory Syndrome (SRAG). The report, covering the 40th epidemiological week, indicates no new deaths attributed to SRAG in the municipality compared to the previous bulletin. A full copy of the bulletin is available here.
To date, Rio Grande has recorded 65 deaths from SRAG, with 51 occurring in hospital settings and 14 in Emergency Care Units (UPAs). SRAG encompasses cases of flu syndrome that progress to respiratory impairment, with causes including influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses.
Vaccination efforts continue,with 75,289 residents – 39.2% of the population – having received a flu vaccine.Coverage among the elderly population stands at 59.4%, while 56% of priority groups (including the elderly, pregnant women, and children aged 6 months to 6 years) are vaccinated.
The municipality remains under a public health emergency, declared under Decree 21.852, due to rising SRAG cases, associated deaths, and strain on the local healthcare system. The declaration cites increased demand in emergency services, hospital bed overcrowding exceeding capacity, and a shortage of general, pediatric, and neonatal ICU beds as critical concerns posing a serious risk to the population.
The bulletin also details SRAG hospitalizations across the state, within the 3rd Regional Health Coordination, and specifically in Rio Grande. Analysis of hospitalized patients reveals the following viral causes: unspecified SRAG (60.6%), influenza (18.2%), Rhinovirus (13.6%), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (VSR) (4.5%), metapneumovirus (1.5%), and COVID-19 (1.5%).
The Rio Grande Health Secretariat emphasizes that vaccination remains the most effective method for preventing influenza and its complications. The vaccine is available at all public health facilities and is considered a safe and vital measure to reduce severe illness and mortality.
(Source: Social Communication Advisory, Rio Grande City Hall)
