Health extends cost of Covid ICU beds across the country

The Ministry of Health will extend the cost of adult and pediatric ICU beds for the treatment of Covid-19 for another 30 days.

The councils of health secretaries of states (Conass) and municipalities (Conasems), in addition to the National Forum of Governors, had asked the federal government to maintain the payment, which would end on the 31st, because of the recent increase in hospitalizations. .

In a note, Saúde said that it will renew funding for the maintenance of 14,254 beds spread across the country.

“It is also worth noting that the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the epidemiological situation in the country and if further extensions are necessary, the portfolio will evaluate”, said the folder.

The governor of Piauí, Wellington Dias (PT), said that the decision of Health is right.

“Important decision for a time when several states and municipalities have many health regions, with a high number of patients and not only for Covid, but also for other diseases. to the pandemic at the National Forum of Governors.

The renewal of the cost of beds should be published in the Official Gazette in the coming days.

The advance of the ômicron variant increased the cases of severe respiratory syndrome, according to Fiocruz.

On Sunday (23), Brazil broke, for the 6th day this week, the record for the moving average of cases, which now stands at 148,212 infections per day, an increase of 309% compared to data from two weeks ago. The moving average of deaths also continues to rise and is now 292 deaths per day, an increase of 129%.

“We already have 7 States with 70% or more of the capacity of beds occupied, for acute and severe respiratory diseases (Covid 19, notably the Ômicron and H3N2/Influenza variant), in addition to viruses and diarrhea). level of occupation”, said the governor of Piuaí, in a note.

On the 12th, Conass also asked the Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga, to support measures such as the expansion of testing and vaccination coverage. SUS managers still demand that the minister, in addition to acting in the purchase of doses, make a campaign to encourage the immunization of children.