According to the Municipal Health Department, Arapongas recorded 72,839 consultations in the last eight weeks distributed across the five Emergency Care Units – being UPA 24 in Jardim Caravelle, 24h Alberto Esper Kallas, in Vila Industrial and the three 18 Horas (Jardim Petrópolis, Zona Sul and Conjunto Flamingos). “These Emergency Services have been fundamental during this period of dengue epidemic that we are experiencing”, states the secretary of the department, Moacir Paludetto Jr. According to the report, the services have been constant, however with an average of 9,105 visits per week – of of which more than 3,000 were carried out at UPA alone. The UPA also has a Children’s Emergency Room (PAI) with its own reception and triage and medical team that exclusively cares for pediatrics.
High demand also at the Municipal Laboratory (next to the UPA), which was responsible for carrying out blood count tests on all patients treated with dengue symptoms. Furthermore, the high demand also resulted in a longer waiting period for patients, causing the Department of Health to reinforce the medical teams in these locations. “With such a significant number of consultations, the number of urgent cases also increases and the consequence is portrayed by the long waiting period for milder cases, generating inconvenience for part of the population and stress for the health professionals who are there”, recognizes Paludetto Jr. However, seeking strategic and effective solutions, in addition to the Emergency Care Units, the Basic Health Units (UBS’s) continue to provide support in monitoring these patients with guidance, care and readings of the exams carried out.
FALLS
The Health Department stated that in the last two weeks the municipality showed a slight downward trend in the number of visits of 4% – compared to the previous two weeks. “The highest percentage of drop in attendance was recorded at 24h Alberto Esper Kallas, with a drop of 6.9%. In absolute numbers, this represents a drop of 877 patients during this period”, adds Moacir.
REPORT CARD
In a new dengue epidemiological bulletin – from 04/21 to 04/27 – Arapongas has 5,086 notifications, 3,099 confirmed cases, 425 under investigation, 1,562 negative cases and four deaths. Among the municipalities with more than 100 thousand inhabitants in the region, Arapongas remains with the lowest incidence of cases and deaths. “Unfortunately, studies prove that climatic factors such as heat waves with increasingly longer periods favor the proliferation of mosquitoes, the movement of people and, consequently, the transmission of the virus. Therefore, we all need to combat Aedes aegypti”, warns the coordinator of Endemic Disease Control, Valdecir Pardini.
VACCINATION
Arapongas continues to vaccinate against dengue. The campaign targets audiences aged 10 to 14. “However, so far, of the 2,187 doses received, only 1,219 children have received the 1st dose. In this case, the responsibility lies exclusively with the parents and guardians of these children. The second dose is carried out 90 days after the first dose”, added the Secretary of Health, Moacir Paludetto Jr.
See vaccination sites: https://www.arapongas.pr.gov.br/saude/
