Do you get the feeling again that – for the umpteenth time – everyone around you has covid? It’s not your thing. It’s happening. From mid-August To date, the trend of cases is once again upward, as shown by data from national and international health entities and demonstrated by other facts derived from the first cause, such as the fact that the sale of antigen teas in pharmacies has skyrocketed.
At ElPlural.com we wanted to delve into the issue to know and be able to tell readers whether or not there is really anything to worry about. The scientific journalist and prestigious analyst on Covid-19 responds to all the questions that can calm or agitate the waters. Graziella Almendralalso author of Vaccines, when human beings win the invisible war.
Why this increase in Covid? Not only social contact ‘is to blame’
It is evident that social contact is the first cause that everyone looks at when infections increase, but it is not the only one. Currently the current scenario is caused by three elements that separately do not provide any explanation, but together they shed light. In this way, to the already mentioned we must add the “global” loss of immunity that had been obtained-either by the vaccine, or by having passed the disease- and the emergence of new variants: the EG5 and the BA.2.86.
The first began to be detected last month, in an especially virulent way in China, where it represented up to 30% of the total Covid cases, according to Almendral, who points out that this percentage has risen to 70%: “It is about a variant with many advantages for the disease, which also comes with a mutation that is allowing it to be much more transmissible and have what is known as immune escape. That is, he knows how to deal with our immunity.”
The second extension “also It’s going to give you a lot to talk about in the coming weeks.” because it comes with “many mutations” – more than 30 – and has been detected in 14 countries. “Right now in Spain I have recorded three cases, while it is expected to cause many reinfections,” notes the expert at the time of writing these lines.
“The pandemic exists”
There are two messages that must be taken and must be used for future variants of Covid. One is that this can’t stop our day to dayand the other is that despite no longer being classified as a health emergency, We must not forget that it continues to circulate.
“The pandemic exists,” emphasizes the scientific informant. And that is why she remembers the importance of maintaining such seemingly simple gestures that not too long ago were common, but that have stopped being done: ventilate closed spaces, telework in case a person is found with symptoms and wear a mask to go out if you have coronavirus, in which case it is even more advisable to stay home.
Always yes to the vaccine
The main focus of Almendral’s book is, precisely, the vaccine against the virus as one of the great milestones of this century. Despite the evidence, there are many people who distrust it in the sense that with the current situation they choose not to use it so as not to face the side effects. But these, the specialist makes clear, are always the lesser evil: “We must say yes to vaccination, especially among vulnerable people”.
Currently, around 40% of the population does not have the booster dose of a vaccine that is adapted “to the variants that have been circulating” and, therefore, will “also provide protection now”: “Cases are going to increase, but we have toolsthe call is clear: whoever has to get vaccinated, should do it.”
Common sense, yes; alert, no
As a population we enjoy hybrid immunity – that is, thanks to the vaccine and passing the infection -, so it is not expected that we will again have a situation “as serious” as that of previous years and strains: “Could it suddenly arrive an extremely different variant that makes the disease more severe? It is not happening (…) It is true that there has been an increase in hospitalizations among the elderly, always vulnerable to the virus, but also a hospital stabilization in recent days. It must be remembered that Covid is present with great force all over the world, but It is no longer a health emergency because we are much more protected.”
Request to administrations: from offering data to pampering professionals
As an appeal to society and administrations, the protagonist of these lines refers to the need to offer data that, for the moment, is only being provided with a partial view: “It is essential that we become continuous diagnostic tests, both ourselves and the authorities; and that these provide figures to world organizations that allow us to do an ultrasound of what is happening.”
In another order of things, we must emphasize the care of Public Health professionals, regardless of the fact that “today” excessive hospital pressure is not expected: “The scars of the Spanish system were seen during the pandemic. It is clear that there is a need for investment at all levels here and in Europe. It is not an isolated case in our country, the WHO warns that The European health situation is a ticking bomb”.
Winter
The WHO has just shown its “concern” about the arrival of winter. Almendral understands that it is a time in which people are more together, meet in more closed spaces, etc.; but he remembers that we are “much more protected.” Therefore, fear, no; common sense and responsibility, always.
2023-09-09 07:18:04
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