Apucarana records a lack of covid-19 tests in the municipal health network

Residents of Apucarana who are looking for the Emergency Care Unit (UPA) with symptoms of covid-19 are returning home without knowing whether or not they have the disease. The reason is the lack of tests available in the municipal health network. The municipality argues that it is not receiving enough material from the State Department of Health (Sesa-PR) and, therefore, will make an emergency purchase.

The coordinator of the AMS Epidemiological Surveillance Division, Luciano Simplício Sobrinho, states that the number of tests sent by Sesa-PR fell at the beginning of this month. “There were few tests that arrived and they were quickly used”, he explains. The problem is also registered at the Sonho de Criança Children’s Health Center.

Therefore, the City Council decided to hold a tender on its own. However, Luciano points out that the purchase is taking time because the product is out of stock on the national market. “I received information that they were not finding the tests (to buy). They have now managed to find a supplier”, he points out, noting that the purchase and arrival of the tests will still take at least another 15 days.

The coordinator admits that the situation is not ideal, because the municipality ends up not having real control over the number of cases, especially with the arrival of autumn. According to available data, Apucarana registered 56 records of the disease in January, 47 in February and 35 in March.

The head of the 16th RS, Marcos Costa, explains that the distribution of tests is carried out by Sesa-PR in accordance with the transfer made by the Ministry of Health. According to him, there was a reduction in the quantity sent to Paraná. It guides municipalities to assess patient demand and, if necessary, purchase tests on their own.