SC declares health emergency after explosion in cases of respiratory diseases and hospitalizations

Vaccination prevents diseases that can develop into cases of SARS (Photo: Lucas Amorelli DC)

The Government of Santa Catarina declared a public health emergency due to the situation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SRAG) in the State. The increase in the number of hospitalizations due to the disease, which has caused overcrowding in care centers, motivated the decision, which was published in an extra edition of the Official Gazette this Monday (29).

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Decree No. 574 declares the existence of an “abnormal situation” and provides for actions to prevent and combat the disease. According to the note, indicators point to a high increase in the number of admissions to beds in neonatal, pediatric and adult Intensive Care Units (ICUs) due to SARS.

This has been one of the reasons for the overcrowding of health units, recently recorded in different regions of Santa Catarina, which represents a health risk for the population.

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The decree authorizes the State Department of Health (SES) to request goods and services from private entities and issue complementary rules related to the emergency situation, regulating specific issues within its competence.

The document came into force upon publication and is valid for 180 days, during which the actions must be implemented and executed.

What is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)?

According to the Santa Catarina Epidemiological Surveillance Directorate (Dive/SC), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) covers cases of flu-like syndrome (GS) that worsen and compromise the patient’s respiratory function.

In most cases, hospitalization is required. Respiratory viruses, such as influenza (Influenza A and B), Respiratory Syncytial Virus, such as Covid-19 (SARS-COV-2), bacteria, fungi and other agents can cause the syndrome.

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Dive also differentiates between the symptoms of Flu Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

Flu Syndrome (GS) – Individual with an acute respiratory condition, characterized by at least two of the following signs and symptoms: fever (even if reported), chills, sore throat, headache, cough, runny nose, olfactory or taste disorders;
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) – Individual with GS who presents: dyspnea/respiratory discomfort or pressure or persistent pain in the chest or O2 saturation less than 95% in room air or bluish discoloration (cyanosis) of the lips or face.