Different countries have adopted strategies for the early detection of SARS-CoV-2 since the declaration of community transmission by the World Health Organization (WHO) and timely diagnosis has been considered one of the major obstacles for surveillance and healthcare. Here, we report the increase of the number of laboratories to COVID-19 diagnosis in Brazil. Our results demonstrate an increase and decentralisation of certified laboratories, which does not match the much higher increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Also, it becomes clear that laboratories are irregularly distributed over the country, with a concentration in the most developed state, São Paulo.

Staphylococcus aureus causes a large variety of infections, where many of them are acquired in the hospital environment. A significant part of the population is a nasal carrier of this type of microorganism. The present study evaluated the nasal colonization by S. aureus, identifying its resistance profile in nursing students from a private educational institute of higher education. Nasal swab samples were collected and identified for S. aureus. Moreover, an antibiogram assay was performed, followed by the search for ermA and ermC genes using PCR. Sixty-two students were included and we isolated 20 positive samples (32,5%) for S. aureus. For the phenotypic profile, 30% were found to be resistant to Erythromycin and 10% to Oxacillin and Cefoxitin. For the D-test in the genotypic profile, 25% presented mecA gene (MRSA), 5% of ermA gene, 35% of ermC gene and 10% with ermC and mecA genes. These data reinforce the necessity of monitoring bacterial colonization in hospital environment, which are potentially resistant in health professionals.

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Objective: The article seeks to assess the Brazilian health system ability to respond to the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic by measuring the capacity of Brazilian hospitals to care for Covid-19 cases in the 450 Health Regions of the country during the year 2020. Hospital capacity refers to the availability of hospital beds, equipment, and human resources. Methods: We used longitudinal data from the National Register of Health Facilities (CNES) regarding the availability of resources necessary to care for patients with Covid-19 in inpatient facilities (public or private) from January to December 2020. Among the assessed resources are health professionals (certified nursing assistants, nurses, physical therapists, and doctors), hospital beds (clinical, intermediate care, and intensive care units), and medical equipment (CT scanners, defibrillators, ECG monitors, ventilators, and resuscitators). In addition to conducting a descriptive analysis of absolute and relative data (per 10,000 users), a synthetic indicator named Installed Capacity Index (ICI) was calculated using the multivariate principal component analysis technique to assess hospital capacity. The indicator was further stratified into value ranges to understand its evolution. Results: There was an increase in all selected indicators between January and December 2020. It was possible to observe differences between the Northeast and North regions and the other regions of the country; most Health Regions presented low ICI. The ICI increased between the beginning and the end of 2020, but this evolution differed among Health Regions. The average increase in the ICI was more evident in the groups that already had considerably high baseline capacity in January 2020. Conclusion: It was possible to identify inequalities in the hospital capacity to care for patients affected by Covid-19 in the Health Regions of Brazil, with a concentration of low index values in the Northeast and North of the country. As the indicator increased throughout the year 2020, inequalities were also observed. The information here provided may be used by health authorities, providers, and managers in planning and adjusting for future Covid-19 care and in dimensioning the adequate supply of hospital beds, health care professionals, and devices in Health Regions to reduce associated morbidity and mortality. We recommend that the ICI continue to be calculated in the coming months of the pandemic to monitor the capacity in the country’s Health Regions.