Epidemic fatigue (fatigue due to compliance with biosecurity measures such as wearing a mask, social distancing and hand washing) is one of the four causes of the increase in covid cases, according to experts. The Ministry of Health reported that during the last week the increase in infections was more than 100%.
“People act as if nothing happens (about the presence of the sixth wave). He no longer takes care of himself and this means that he no longer wears a mask, he also forgets social distancing and hand washing. All this is a global problem and it is called: epidemic fatigue, because people are tired of these biosecurity measures,” the president of the National Immunization Committee, Adalid Zamora, told Página Siete.
The specialist explained that this is the first of the four causes that are causing the increase in covid cases in the country. The second is the return to celebrations because promotional celebrations and other mass events are held in cinemas during this period. In addition, dinners are also organized in the offices and people even greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.
The third reason is the diffusion of two new subvariants of the Omicron family: the BQ.1 and the BQ1.1. This situation makes the contagion greater.
The fourth, according to the epidemiologist Rubén Quispe, refers to the fact that most people have not completed their vaccination doses.
Yesterday the Minister of Health, Jeyson Auza, reported that in the last epidemiological week (50) 13,289 cases were reported, that is, there was an increase of 7,210 more infections. This means a 119% increase in cases.
In addition, the government has reported that there have been 13 deaths from covid in the past week. “(Almost all) are people who either didn’t have vaccines or had incomplete schedules,” she said.
There were people who had full vaccination doses, but had underlying diseases or were older adults.
Bolivia is in the sixth week of an increase in sixth wave cases. Experts have indicated that as the increase proceeds, “the highest peak of the pandemic could be recorded in the first half of January”.
“This week there is still an exponential increase in cases,” said Auza, assuring that the nine departments of the country have recorded increases in infections. “Santa Cruz has 9,946 new cases from the previous week (5,943), which is a 114 percent increase,” she added.
Beni records 143 cases, which means 131 more than the previous week, or an increase of more than 1,000%. Pando has 281 new infections, that is 178 more than the previous one.
Specialists have recommended that the population continue with biosecurity measures: ventilation indoors, avoiding gatherings of people, using the chin strap in those spaces and avoiding greetings with kisses.
