With more than 8 thousand cases of Covid-19 and 900 cases of flu, the population must reinforce prevention against respiratory viruses | Tocantins

Patients with flu-like symptoms are moving to the state’s health units. This year, confirmed cases of Covid-19 exceed 8 thousand and of other types of viruses, combined, there are more than 900. Even though the increases are not considered alarming, the population must reinforce preventive care.

According to data from the State Department of Health (SES), from January to April 20 of this year, there were confirmations of 8,726 patients with covid, 263 cases of Influenza A, 415 cases of Rhinovirus, 242 cases of syncytial virus and seven cases of Adenovirus. In total there are 9,653 confirmed cases of respiratory viruses.

The four viruses are circulating simultaneously in the state due to seasonality, causing respiratory infections. Therefore, the SES warned that preventive care should be part of the population’s routine, mainly because the risk is greater in children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with comorbidities.

Among the precautions are:

• Frequent hand hygiene;
• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing;
• Avoid touching the mucous membranes of your eyes, nose and mouth;
• Avoid close contact with people who show signs or symptoms of the flu;
• Keep environments well ventilated;
• Avoid crowds and closed environments;
• Wear masks if you have flu-like symptoms;
• If your child has flu-like symptoms, do not take them to daycare, school or children’s parties;
• Avoid exposing children under 6 months of age in crowded places.

In addition to day-to-day care, it is necessary to keep your vaccination card up to date with your vaccination schedules. This is because immunization against Covid and other flu viruses is more effective against the most serious manifestation of the disease.

According to SES, to combat the Influenza virus, the Ministry of Health changed the annual vaccination campaign, covering the Amazon winter period, which increases the circulation of influenza viruses.

“Tocantins has not identified an alarming increase in the number of cases, but due to the seasonality period, SES-TO advises professionals who work in health services to be attentive to monitoring probable cases of flu-like syndromes in individuals from all walks of life. ages, especially groups that are at greater risk of developing complications”, explained the manager of Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Diandra Sena.