Ten COVID-19 Deaths and Rising Hospitalizations Reported Amidst Omicron Surge

Ten people died from COVID-19 between Wednesday and Thursday, while 157 remained hospitalized for related complications, including 18 in intensive care units and 25 children, according to official figures.

“All the isolation rooms are full (by patients with the virus), but we haven’t had to open a ‘COVID ward’ (room) yet,” said Dr. Miguel Colón.

Statistics from the Department of Health confirm that six deaths from COVID-19 were reported on Wednesday and four yesterday. The positive is at 26.34% and, daily, there are 973 cases and 306 reinfections.

“We are not doing as many tests as before, about 200 a day, but the positivity is over 24%,” said Ilia Toledo, from the Toledo Laboratory.

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According to the graduate, most people with suspicious symptoms of COVID-19 are taking home tests. For this reason, she explained, community transmission is higher than what the reports indicate. In addition to COVID-19, there are also other respiratory conditions present, such as influenza and mycoplasma, she warned.

“It is important that the tests are done because there are medicines available (against COVID-19), still free, to prevent complications, especially in older people,” he said.

Colón indicated, meanwhile, that most hospitalizations are in older adults, almost all without the bivalent vaccine.

He recalled that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those infected must be isolated for 10 days. Only healthcare providers and first responders can shorten isolation to five days and another five with masks.

“But it is an “honor system” (that infected people remain in isolation for ten days) and people are adrift,” he opined.

According to the infectologist, at the moment, one in four people with cold symptoms has COVID-19 and infections are observed among employees in hospitals.

For his part, Dr. Jorge Santana warned that “many” outbreaks have been detected in hospitals, among employees and patients. “Omicron is more contagious (than other strains),” he said.

“I suspect we are going to continue high (high transmission of the virus) for a few more weeks. The omicron is more contagious (than other strains)”, said the infectologist.

He also agreed that the real picture is much higher than what the statistics say, since many are doing home tests for the virus and, for the most part, they are cases that are not reported.

“After (May) 11, it’s like we’re done with this disease, but we’re not. Everyone has to continue taking precautions, such as the use of masks,” added the infectologist, referring to the day the emergency was declared over due to the pandemic.