With us… the coronavirus is on vacation this summer as well, proving that its cycle not only did not end with the end of the pandemic period, but that it still has many more to delete in the winters and summers to come, threatening the most vulnerable. But at the same time, in the alleys, clubs and bars where the younger vacationers crowd, another virus seems to be circulating, that of the flu (and not only), causing an additional wave of suffering.
It is telling that just last Monday – a day that typically sees the most demand, given that weekends are quieter than weekdays – doctors across the country sent in a total of 580 requests for approval to administer antiviral treatment to an equal number of patients. who had tested positive for the COVID-19 infection. However, as noted in “Vima” by the professor of Pulmonology at the Medical School of the Greek Academy of Sciences and president of the Hellenic Pulmonology Society Stelios Loukidisthe data concerning the reception of antivirals testify that this summer wave has entered the so-called “plateau” – that is, in a stabilization phase.
“positive indication”
“The average number of requests is around 400, maybe a little more, despite all that, there is no upward trend. This is a positive sign, as it probably indicates that this new outbreak has reached a “ceiling” he adds, hoping that in the near future, and unexpectedly, a de-escalation will be found.
This positive forecast is supported by the data regarding hospitalizations. Indicatively, it is reported that in the middle of the week, a total of 657 patients (of which 36 were intubated) with a COVID-19 infection were being treated in the country’s hospitals. At the beginning of last week, the corresponding number reached 780 (of which 28 were intubated).
However, when scientists make predictions for the immediate future, they stand on an important asterisk: “The period of the Fifteenth of August is characterized by religious and social events – vigils, festivals, etc. – and therefore from increased mobility, which can trigger transmissions” emphasizes the professor of Pulmonology of the School of Medicine of the University of Crete Nikos Tzanakis.
Serious illnesses
Meanwhile, delving into the qualitative data of the “hard indicators”, experts insist that despite the increased contagiousness, the cases of severe disease are clearly more limited than in previous years. “One cannot accurately estimate how many have fallen ill in this wave. However, what emerges from the hospitalizations is that the most severe manifestations occur in elderly patients with accompanying diseases. In these cases, even because of a high fever, the patients become even more dysregulated, being vulnerable anyway” clarifies Mr. Loukidis. He also meaningfully adds that a faster movement is observed in the exports of hospitalized patients. “During the early years of the pandemic, pneumonia was a frequent and serious complication of the COVID-19 infection. Now, this complication is rarer, on the one hand because of the younger strains and on the other hand because of the offered treatments that are available.”
Another important factor that increases the risk of serious illness, especially among people belonging to vulnerable groups, is the low rate of vaccination with the updated vaccine. “It is a fact that we are constantly chasing the virus, which is changing. Therefore, sterile immunity – i.e. zero risk of infection – is not permanent. It is most likely not more than three months. It is certain, however, that those who continue to be vaccinated every year are protected from the negative outcomes of the infection. But studies will need to be done to establish when is the appropriate schedule to adopt for vaccinations.” emphasizes Mr. Tzanakis.
Flu attacks
Under these circumstances, the professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine of EKPA Dimitris Paraskevis insists that the “key” remains early diagnosis and, in the case of a positive result, immediate medical advice, in order to assess whether antiviral treatment is needed. He, on the other hand, addresses one more recommendation mainly to younger people and to people who do not belong to vulnerable groups: “Those who are positive or exhibit symptoms should limit their contacts to absolutely necessary, especially with vulnerable people.”
But there is an additional reason why those with suspicious symptoms should be tested or even better COMBO Test (flu and COVID-19). As the general/family physician, general secretary of the Hellenic Academy of General/Family Medicine explains in “Vima” Evangelos Frangoulisat the same time, sporadic cases of influenza are recorded, mainly among the youngest, even though SARS-CoV-2 prevails. Since some may therefore need treatment – the antivirals for the infection caused by COVID-19 are different from those given for the treatment caused by flu viruses – it is critical to find out what patients are suffering from.
The new outbreak is a global phenomenon
It is worth noting that the new outbreak of SARS-COV-2 is not limited only to Greece, but spreads almost all over the world map. At least 40 sportsmen and women participating in the Olympic Games in Paris have tested positive for the virus (with Noah Lyles as the most typical example), while in the rest of the world, and according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 10% of people who they are tested and come out positive.
This percentage, however, reflects the average across the planet. In the WHO European region, which includes the European Union and 30 other countries, positivity in rapid tests climbs to 20%, which suggests that there are variations in the severity of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, and under these developments, the Agency recently reminded those in high-risk groups to receive the COVID-19 vaccine within 12 months of their last dose.
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