After many weeks of tireless upward movement and heavy traffic in tourist spots and in urban centers, SARS-CoV-2 is showing signs of abating.
Nevertheless, scientists warn that the next period hides pitfalls. During the period of the Fifteenth of August, mobility increases due to mass religious and social gatherings, which are the juncture for the uncontrolled transmission of the pandemic virus.
Decreased viral activity
In more detail and according to the latest data from the EODY (concerning the period July 29 – August 4), after several weeks, a reduced activity of the virus was recorded. This observation is also reflected in the number of new imports, which did not exceed 833, when exactly the previous seven days they had risen to 923. In any case, it is important to note that the number of imports in the corresponding week of 2023 was only 321 , which demonstrates the high transmissibility of FLiRT subvariants in the community.
However, according to the official data, until yesterday 25 patients were intubated in Intensive Care Units across the country, due to serious complications, while another 40 people lost the battle for their lives. Indicative of the impetuous intentions of the pandemic virus to this day is that in total from the beginning of June to the beginning of August the deaths of patients with COVID-19 infection have exceeded 210.
The important parameter
The Professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine of the EKPA, Dimitris Paraskevis, also speaks of signs of stabilization that herald a downward trend of SARS-CoV-2 in the coming weeks. However, speaking to “NEWS”, he does not fail to point out an important parameter, which can overturn the forecasts. “THE Augustespecially during the period of the Fifteenth of August, characterized by high mobility and is therefore unpredictable.”
Therefore, the professor insists that people who belong to the vulnerable population groups (the elderly and people with underlying diseases) must observe the preventive measures against respiratory infections, while he places special emphasis on seeking medical advice in time for symptoms, in order to be given in time treatment if deemed necessary. At the same time, he advises young people who show suspicious symptoms to limit their contacts with people who belong to the vulnerable groups.
In any case, the virus remains highly active, with experts recording an increasing trend in the average weekly viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in municipal sewage in six of the ten areas tested. More specifically, a clear upward trend was observed in Chania (+168%), Xanthi (+82%), Ioannina (+59%), Alexandroupoli (+55%), while the increase was marginal in Heraklion (+22%) ) and in Volos (+19%). A reduction in the viral load of urban sewage was observed in Patras (-56%), while the reduction was marginal in Attica (-22%). Finally, stabilization was observed in Thessaloniki (+6%) and Larissa (+9%).
It is noteworthy, however, that even outside the borders the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 is… frenzied, given that the pandemic era has passed. In fact, the WHO pointed out that at the same time there is an “alarming decrease in vaccination coverage”. It is indicative that overall the percentage of positive tests is over 10% worldwide, however fluctuations are observed. In fact, in Europe the percentage of positive tests is over 20%.
Outbreak of West Nile virus cases
Meanwhile, West Nile virus cases are also on the rise. According to the latest EODY report, the cases reached 55, of which 42 presented manifestations from the Central Nervous System (encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis). Finally, a total of 8 deaths (both in the last week) have been reported in people over the age of 67.
Source: Print Edition TA NEA
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