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Dengue: The first Saturday with extended working hours moves at the Varginha dispensary
Amid a rise in dengue cases, the Varginha Central Clinic has already recorded 500 visits of people with symptoms in two days. Of the tests conducted, 80% were positive for the disease. This is the first Saturday (17th) with new hours.
The Varginha Health Department expects to serve up to 300 patients per day during overtime hours at the central clinic.
“Anyone who wants to be diagnosed with dengue can come here and get tested and then we need to monitor […]. Then she undergoes tests and can return to the central clinic to receive medical follow-up,” explains doctor Giovanni Rotondo.
The service runs from 5pm to 9pm, Monday to Friday, and 7am to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday. Working hours may be increased if the number of patients increases.
The extended service began on Thursday (15). The first day was packed at the centre. Patients gathered in the main lobby of the building and the movement has not stopped since then.
The idea was to ease the emergency care unit (UPA) service. Of the first 25 tests performed, 24 were positive for the disease.
“People who start to feel fever, body aches, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting seek care so that they can undergo a dengue test and, if necessary, undergo serum treatment,” the Saúde de Varginha secretary said. Adrian Nogueira.
Virginia has already confirmed 840 cases of dengue in 2024 alone. Across southern Minas, there are 6,430 cases and 3 confirmed deaths due to the disease – In Monte Bello, Arciburgo, Nepomuceno. Another 12 deaths are being investigated.
According to city council data, the district Canaan Where most cases are concentrated: 128. Other neighborhoods e.g Corsetti Park (60), center (41), Villa Barcelona (37), Jardim Andere (37) and Damascus Park (33) appear next with the most confirmed cases.
The number of confirmed cases so far represents 40% of the total cases recorded in 2023.
