Faced with an outbreak of flu among children, the Government of the Federal District opened 20 beds in the intensive care unit (ICU) and another 23 in the pediatric ward during the month of March.
The occupancy rate of pediatric and neonatal beds was 98.63% and 98.77%, respectively, at 1:40 pm this Saturday (1/4), according to data from the Health Department of the Federal District. There is, however, no confirmation of the reason for the hospitalization of the children, therefore, it is not possible to say how many were infected with the influenza virus. See below:
The Health Department of the Federal District informed that it opened, during the month of March, five beds in intensive care units (ICU) at the Regional Hospital of Taguatinga (HRT), ten at the Hospital da Criança de Brasília (HCB) and five at the Instituto Base Hospital (IHBDF).
14 ward beds were also created for pediatric hospitalization at the Hospital Materno Infantil de Brasília (Hmib) to meet the seasonality of infections; four more at Hospital da Região Leste (HRL), located in Paranoá; three at the Regional Hospital of Brazlândia (HRBz); and two on HRT.
The folder said that the HRT should open nine more pediatric ward beds, which are currently undergoing adaptation. “There is also a forecast for the opening of more beds at the HRL and at the Regional Hospital of Sobradinho (HRS)”, he said.
According to the Department of Health, there are 21 rear beds in the Emergency Care Unit (UPA) of Santa Maria. By this Wednesday (5/4), six more units should be opened at the Regional Hospital of Santa Maria (HRSM).
The folder informed that, in parallel, 10 ICU beds in private hospitals should be integrated into the public network.
“Very serious”
This Saturday, the governor of the DF, Ibaneis Rocha (MDB), said that the flu outbreak in children “is very serious”. The column asked the Health Department for updated data on infected children, but the folder said that information on disease diagnoses can only be consulted on Monday (3/4).
“We are living through a very serious period in the Federal District due to this flu outbreak that has caught many children, especially. We have already contracted, via the Department of Health, several intensive care units for this group of children who are most affected by this disease and we are working together with the Department of Health and Iges to serve the population” , said Ibaneis.
As the virus has spread mainly among babies, the Health Department has advanced the start of vaccination against influenza for children from six months to five years, 11 months and 29 days.
On Friday (3/31), the folder visited 21 day care centers to carry out the immunization. This Saturday (1st), vaccination takes place in public places and, as of Monday, it will be done in the network of Basic Health Units (UBS). See addresses here.
A newborn died and six other children were hospitalized with flu syndrome. All were at the Padre Cícero shelter, in Taguatinga, before being taken to the hospital.
