The Growing Concern of the Eris Mutant: Are Hospitals Ready to Handle a New Wave of COVID-19?

The emergence of the new Corona mutant, known as (EG.5) and named “Eris” after the gods in Greek mythology, Eris, is a growing concern worldwide about its degree of danger, since its first appearance last February. Fears come from the angle that the Corona virus is mutating successively, and because the last mutant, “Iris”, which is considered another version of the Omicron mutant, recorded a rapid spread and an increase in the number of infections in a short period.

The World Health Organization announced in early August the emergence of “iris” as a new sub-mutant of Covid 19 (Corona), and urged countries to monitor infections with this new variant that is spreading worldwide. But she reassured that it is not very dangerous, pointing out that there is no evidence that it is more dangerous than other mutants circulating at the present time. As for the symptoms of infection with “Iris”, they are similar to the symptoms of infection with “Corona”, (headache, runny nose, sore throat, fever, loss of sense of smell and taste sometimes, fatigue and extreme exhaustion).

In Lebanon, the Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Firas Al-Abyad, admits that there is an increase in the number of Corona injuries, considering that this matter is usually witnessed during the summer season. While the Ministry of Public Health was reassured in the middle of last August, that the ministry is conducting genetic tests continuously to identify Corona mutants present in Lebanon, and until now, these tests have not shown the presence of the (EG.5) mutant known as “Iris.”

On the other hand, there is news circulating that “Iris” is in Lebanon, but it is not diagnosed, because the regular PCR test cannot determine the type of “Corona”, but only indicates its presence. But regardless of all this confusion, the main question is about the readiness of hospitals in Lebanon to deal with any widespread spread of “Corona” and its mutants, whether “Iris” or other mutants. Are hospitals able, under known conditions, to effectively deal with any new wave?

President of the Syndicate of Private Hospitals, Suleiman Haroun, indicates, in an interview with the Lebanese Forces website, that “the number of infections with the Corona virus has increased by a small percentage in the recent period, regardless of the type of virus and any mutator,” but confirms that “no strong symptoms are recorded among the infected.” “. Haroun explains, “Coronavirus infections, which we have been following for some time through infected people who come to hospitals for examinations and care, we notice that the symptoms are mild and not as strong as we witnessed at the beginning of the pandemic and at its peak.”

He adds: “The symptoms are mild, and most of the injured are treated in the emergency departments, where they are given first aid and first aid, so that they do not have to enter the hospital and stay under observation for several days as before, but they leave home, and in total a few days of rest are sufficient to overcome the symptoms of infection.” “.

Haroun is reassuring, that “what we have found in private hospitals is that the recent infections with the Corona virus in Lebanon are not dangerous, and the infected do not suffer from strong effects, especially among ordinary people or young and middle age groups who do not suffer from diseases or health problems.” A certain, unlike the elderly, who may have a special situation, of course.”

He adds: “The occupancy rate in Corona departments or in intensive care in hospitals is very low, and even the percentage of those infected with the Corona virus who need to be hospitalized in the first place is very low.” It is more likely, according to Haroun, that “there is a large community immunity today, and the Corona virus itself is relatively weak and its symptoms are mild, and therefore we are not witnessing a state of pressure on hospitals at the present time.” As for the readiness of private hospitals to face any new wave of the spread of the Corona virus, and are they in a better position than previous periods at the peak of the pandemic? Haroun explains that “private hospitals are not at the same level of readiness today as they were in the past, when alertness and readiness were at their peak.”

He continues: “Private hospitals today are financially exhausted, and there is a shortage of medical and nursing staff and qualified human resources to face any new wave of Corona. This, of course, is due to the emigration of large numbers of doctors and nurses as a result of the well-known economic crisis that Lebanon is experiencing. Therefore, if we witness a new wave of the spread of the Corona virus, as we witnessed in the past, hospitals will not be able to cope with it easily.

2023-09-06 06:03:11

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