Concern about the coronavirus increased after the anúncio about the first case of the disease in the country, the only one confirmed to date, which occurred last Wednesday (26). Second disclosed data by the Ministry of Health, this Thursday (27) the number of suspected cases being monitored by the ministry was 132 and another 213 notifications had not yet been analyzed. In the State of São Paulo, the campaign anticipation of flu vaccination, which is now scheduled to begin on March 23, in addition to increasing the number of doses of the vaccine to 75 million.
Due to this situation, the Community Health Center (cecom) from Unicamp explains to the university's public that the transmission of the virus occurs through close contact with infected people and that the symptoms are very similar to those of the flu, the main ones being cough, fever and difficulty breathing. Unicamp students, teachers and employees who have traveled to any of the countries with cases of internal transmission in the last 14 days, or have had contact with a suspected case of coronavirus, and present symptoms, can seek Cecom's Emergency Room from Monday to Friday Monday, from 7am to 17:30pm. When you arrive at the location, simply collect a password, put on a disposable mask available at reception and go to one of the attendants.
According to Rose Trevisan, deputy coordinator of Cecom, all services are provided in the unit itself, in an exclusive room. "We collect exams for suspected diagnosis and also provide guidance on home isolation, if necessary", she explains. She also comments that the list of countries where there is transmission can be checked on the Ministry of Health website and is constantly updated.
Rose also recommends that people remain aware of updates given by the Ministry of Health regarding the disease. "The recommendations change depending on the epidemiological scenario, they are dynamic. If there are changes announced by the Ministry (of Health), we will inform the community", informs Rose.
Unicamp HC will treat serious cases
On Wednesday (26), the State government announced the creation of Coronavirus Contingency Center and the launch of a Contingency plan of the disease, which details actions for the investigation of suspected cases, treatment of confirmed cases, prevention and guidance. According to the plan, the Hospital de Clínicas (HC) at Unicamp will be one of the State's reference hospitals for treating serious cases, along with five other hospitals in the capital and the interior.
The HC Superintendency informs that it will only treat serious cases referred by other health units and recommends that patients with characteristic symptoms should seek Basic Health Units (UBS) or Emergency Care Units (UPA) in the region. The HC also clarifies that it does not carry out tests for common respiratory viruses, nor does it collect respiratory materials for diagnosing cases that are not related to the coronavirus.
In addition to the Unicamp HC, which will treat serious suspected cases, the city of Campinas will provide care for mild suspicions at the Ouro Verde Hospital Complex. The two units will also serve to forward cases identified in passengers arriving from other countries at Viracopos International Airport.
Be careful with exchange students
To guide foreign students who are on exchange at Unicamp, the Executive Directorate of International Relations (Skin) informs that it is working on translating health manuals and protocols into English, as a way of facilitating access to information. "Not all foreign students speak Portuguese, especially those who have just arrived, so we are translating so that they can also stay informed", explains Rafael de Brito Dias, advisor at Deri.
He also comments that the board has been following the news regarding the transmission of the disease in other countries and the reports sent by partner universities. According to Rafael, so far there have been no incidents related to the coronavirus with Unicamp students on exchange.
Recommendations
- Use disposable tissues for nasal hygiene;
- Cover your nose and mouth with the inside of your arm when coughing or sneezing;
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth;
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol gel;
- Do not share objects for personal use;
- Keep environments clean and ventilated;
- Avoid traveling to places where local transmission occurs.
