Cities in Brazil Manage to Stop Coronavirus through Basic Health Services

Successful cases had testing and call center of infected by Covid

São Paulo

Suffering from headaches and body pain, loss of smell and taste, vomiting, and fever, secretary Ariana dos Santos, 27, from São Caetano do Sul, called an 0800. Officials told her what she should do, and she received a self-collection kit for secretions from the throat and nose for the Covid-19 test.

Within 48 hours, she learned of her positive Covid-19 result and isolated herself for 14 days. During the period, health professionals monitored from a distance.

The home test carried out by the Municipality of São Caetano do Sul (SP), in partnership with the municipal university, is one of the examples of care offered in primary health care (PHC), the gateway to SUS.

Successful cases had testing and call center of infected by Covid (Foto:Prefeitura de São Caetano do Sul / Divulgacao) - Prefeitura de São Caetano do Su

Among the initiatives adopted during the health emergency, there is also the monitoring of chronic patients, the leading risk group for complications and death from infection.

In São Caetano, there are five testing programs: the home that attended Ariana, one in a drive-thru system, patients taking the test in the car, and another in traffic blocks. In all, more than 38 thousand people, or 24% of the population, were tested.

In Belo Horizonte (MG), there was also an initiative to maintain care for chronic patients, such as diabetics and hypertensive patients.

In Florianópolis (SC), the city government launched a clinical telephone service. In April, the first month of service, there were more than 40 thousand calls.

In Teresina (PI), the city has reserved 23 basic health units to serve the suspected and confirmed patients from Covid. In units and home visits, around 1,000 people are tested daily. Nearly 27% of the tests are positive.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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