Although the vaccination It has been an enormous success in terms of protection, the impact of the coronavirus continues to be important in residences. This diary published weeks ago the lack of control in infections in residences, as well as the increase in the number of deaths. According to the latest Imserso report, in the week between August 16 and 22, there were 166 deaths. A worrying figure, especially if one takes into account that just over a month ago (July 11) there was only one death. Despite this, it has not been until now that the Ministry of Health has announced a study about immunity in these centers.
From the Business Circle of Attention to People (CEAPs) They have been requesting for weeks that this report be carried out, which is essential to know the degree of seroprevalence among the older population when at least six months have passed since their vaccination.
The Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) will be in charge of carrying it out, in addition to another on the persistent Covid disease, as announced this week by the Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, after the meeting of the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS). Darias called both investigations “tremendously interesting.” However, your first results will not be available. until the end of the last four months of the year. The research will make it possible to identify over time what is the immunological situation of the risk group of elderly people who live in residences.
According to the Imserso report, in the last week counted 1,082 infections have been registered in social health centers. Some associated with major outbreaks. This same Saturday, the temporary closure of the San José de Granollers residence in Barcelona was reported, after registering three deaths. The situation in Catalonia it is especially concerning. The Department of Social Rights of the Generalitat reported this Friday that a total of 28 people in nursing homes or homes for the disabled have died in the last week due to the coronavirus. There is currently knowledge of 51 residences with active outbreaks. Among the latest cases, the nursing home in Sant Joan de les Fonts stands out, with seven deaths.
EU Notice
The European Union It already warned weeks ago of the impact of the Delta variant -which the Pedro Sánchez Government despised- in the social and health centers.
In a recent report, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) – the European reference body for the pandemic – warned of the risks of high transmission associated with this strain for nursing homes, centers where the pandemic ‘has caused significant mortality».
“Although it has drastically decreased with the progressive increase in the vaccine, several outbreaks continue to occur, coinciding with high levels of community transmission,” the European experts noted.
In this context, the ECDC particularly highlights “the appearance of significantly more transmissible Sars-Cov-2 variants, such as Delta, which are causing an increase in Covid cases in several countries”, as is the case in Spain.
The agency warns that “this is likely to continue until a greater proportion of the population is fully vaccinated” and opens the door to implement “stricter” measures. “High levels of community transmission increase the risk of outbreaks in residences and the risk of infection for vulnerable unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people,” he adds. The EU warns that the elderly population residing in these centers may have less protection from the vaccine due to their age and underlying conditions.
The same report echoes the high accumulated incidence in Spain, indicating its “great concern” about the evolution of the pandemic in the country. In fact, the ECDC only mentioned this alarm about Spain and Portugal.
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