Marina Goulart da Silva1,2, Pablo Michel Barcelos Pereira3,4, Williams Ferreira Portela4, Guilherme Cabreira Daros3, Caio Roberto de Almeida Barbosa5, Bruna Muraro Vanassi5, Gabriel Oscar Cremona Parma6,7, Rafael Mariano de Bitencourt3,6, Betine Pinto Moehlecke Iser6. 1. Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil. marina.goulartds@gmail.com. 2. Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil. marina.goulartds@gmail.com. 3. Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil. 4. Alto Rio Solimões Indigenous Special Health District, Tabatinga, Amazonas, Brazil. 5. Medical College, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil. 6. Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil. 7. Geoprocessing Laboratory, University of South Santa Catarina, Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Due to social and geographical isolation, indigenous people are more vulnerable to adverse conditions; however, there is a lack of data on the epidemics' impact on these populations. Thus, this article's objective was to describe the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in indigenous communities in Brazil. METHODS: This descriptive observational study was carried out in indigenous communities in the municipality of Amaturá (Amazonas, Brazil). Individuals from the Alto Rio Solimões Special Indigenous Sanitary District (DSEI) who met the Sars-Cov-2 infection case definitions during the period between January and August 2020 were included. For case notification, the definitions adopted by the Ministry of Health of Brazil and by the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health were considered. RESULTS: Out of the entire population served by the Alto Rio Solimões DSEI (n = 2890), 109 indigenous people were suspected of having been infected with Sars-Cov-R during the study period; a total of 89 cases were actually confirmed (rate: 3.08 cases/100,000 inhabitants). Most patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were female (56.2%), with a mean age of 32.4 (± 23.6) years. Predominant symptoms were fever (76.4%), dry cough (64%), and headache (60.7%). Complications occurred in 7.9% of the patients; no deaths were reported. CONCLUSION: These results enhance the observation that indigenous populations, even if relatively isolated, are exposed to COVID-19. The disease cases assessed showed a favorable evolution, which does not mean reducing the need for caring of this population.
BACKGROUND: Due to social and geographical isolation, indigenous people are more vulnerable to adverse conditions; however, there is a lack of data on the epidemics' impact on these populations. Thus, this article's objective was to describe the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in indigenous communities in Brazil. METHODS: This descriptive observational study was carried out in indigenous communities in the municipality of Amaturá (Amazonas, Brazil). Individuals from the Alto Rio Solimões Special Indigenous Sanitary District (DSEI) who met the Sars-Cov-2 infection case definitions during the period between January and August 2020 were included. For case notification, the definitions adopted by the Ministry of Health of Brazil and by the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health were considered. RESULTS: Out of the entire population served by the Alto Rio Solimões DSEI (n = 2890), 109 indigenous people were suspected of having been infected with Sars-Cov-R during the study period; a total of 89 cases were actually confirmed (rate: 3.08 cases/100,000 inhabitants). Most patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were female (56.2%), with a mean age of 32.4 (± 23.6) years. Predominant symptoms were fever (76.4%), dry cough (64%), and headache (60.7%). Complications occurred in 7.9% of the patients; no deaths were reported. CONCLUSION: These results enhance the observation that indigenous populations, even if relatively isolated, are exposed to COVID-19. The disease cases assessed showed a favorable evolution, which does not mean reducing the need for caring of this population.