Covid: positivity reaches 30% since December 2022 – 09/29/2023 – Balance and Health

A survey by the Todos pela Saúde Institute (ITpS) released this Friday (29) shows that positivity, that is, the rate of tests with positive results for Covid, reached the 30% mark for the first time since the end of last year.

The increase had already been observed for at least two months. However, the rate of tests with positive results increased by five percentage points in the last 15 days, reaching 30.2% between September 17th and 23rd.

According to the analysis, which included tests carried out by private laboratories Dasa, DB Molecular, Fleury, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Hilab, HLAGyn and Sabin, positivity reaches 41% in some age groups, such as people aged 60 to 69. . This means that 4 out of every 10 exams in this age group have a confirmed Covid diagnosis.

Among the federative units analyzed, the Federal District recorded the highest rate, at 39%, an increase of 16% compared to the previous month (considering the week ending on August 26th with the week ending on September 23rd).

Mato Grosso had the biggest change, going from 11% to 34%. Other states, such as Rio de Janeiro (15% to 32%), São Paulo (13% to 26%) and Paraná (14% to 25%) recorded an increase in the period.

It is important to note that positivity is higher in older individuals, who recorded rates above 35% (36%, in the range of 70 to 79 years old; 35%, over 80 years old; and 41%, from 60 to 69 years old) , but in children and young people aged 0 to 19, around 1 in every 5 tests has a positive result.

This age group continues to have the lowest vaccination coverage, reinforcing the importance of increasing immunization in this group.

The laboratory analysis also considered other respiratory viruses circulating in the country. These, however, continued to be in low circulation in the period from September 17th to 23rd, the last week with data, with 5.5% of tests showing positive results for RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), the main cause of bronchiolitis in children, 1.2 % for influenza A and 0.8% for influenza B.

The latest InfoGripe bulletin, from Fiocruz, released last Thursday (28), pointed to a stabilization of Covid cases in the country, with the exception of the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where the incidence of SARS (respiratory syndrome severe acute) due to Covid has increased, especially in the older population. The data in the report, also referring to the week of September 17th to 23rd, also shows a slight increase in positive tests in states in the Southeast and South, mainly in the adult population.

Researcher Marcelo Gomes, coordinator of InfoGripe, highlights that RJ shows a small indication of a drop in the growth of Covid, but this situation should be observed with caution. “We need to continue observing the coming weeks, as so far it is a sign of growth. São Paulo also shows a slow pace and restricted to the older population, but which is present”, he says.

The Todos pela Saúde Institute (ITpS) is a non-profit entity that emerged in 2021 to articulate research networks and develop skills in Brazil that help combat health emergencies. He received financial support from the Todos pela Saúde initiative, created in 2020 and with Itaú as the main donor.