In Ecuador there is a rebound in cases of COVID-19 and other acute respiratory infections caused by seasonal influenza just before the Christmas and New Year festivities.
In In epidemiological week 45, 680 cases of coronavirus were registered, but in the next three there were 1,370, 2,600 and 3,688 at the national level. This evolution occurred during the last four epidemiological weeks, from November 6 to December 3 of this year.
It is expected that this week the number of cases will rise to four thousand. The behavior in the country and worldwide is that they increase for a month and a half and then there is a decrease.
The Municipality of Guayaquil reports that only in this canton 320 confirmed cases were registered in week 45, while in week 48 there are already 1,810 affected, that is, 1,490 more, which represents an increase of 465%.
In Guayaquil hospitals, contingency plans are implemented in the face of an increase in respiratory cases
The people most affected are the elderly and those with catastrophic illnesses. In Guayaquil it was registered one death from this cause. She is an older adult patient with two doses of vaccines, but without the two boosters, which made his painting worse.
In fact, coverage of the third dose of vaccines that help prevent severe COVID-19which requires hospitalization and the use of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), It is only 55% of the population older than 12 years with 7,561,551 doses placed.
While, the second reinforcement (fourth dose) accumulates 2,552,268 doses, that is, 18.6% of the target population is covered, which are those over 12 years of age.
The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) indicates that there is still a stock of four million doses to place. It available is not enough to immunize the entire target population that is yet to receive the third dose or first booster. The age group to which the first reinforcement (third dose) is directed is the population of 12 years and older than in the country is estimated at 13’754,121 people.
In the United States it is already inoculated with the bivalent vaccineso named because it contains the increase in cases of the disease generated by the latest variants of coronavirus.
The most logical recommendation for those who completed all four doses is place a fifth after six months of the officially called second booster, especially those who have risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, cancer or a suppressed immune systemaccording to specialist doctors consulted by this newspaper.
The pulmonologist Iván Chérrez affirms that older adults and those with risk factors without full boosters are more likely to have their symptoms worsen and die because their immunity against COVID-19 is already very low.
“This fifth dose should already be the bivalent one, China already has it, but in the meantime we must complete the scheme of the four doses that we have. Which What matters most is that people don’t die, don’t get seriously ill, and those that exist still protect 87% of the latter”, indicates.
But measures such as the use of a mask in closed places and social distancing must be maintained, because vaccines protect less from omicron infection (variant of COVID-19). “Less than 50%, which is why control measures must be followed, avoid poorly ventilated places, mass gatherings,” he adds.
Francisco Pérez, Undersecretary of Epidemiological Surveillance of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), affirms that The increase corresponds to the fact that the new variant of COVID-19 would already be circulating in the country discovered in Germany, where it was baptized as cerberus, referring to the dog of the god Hades in Greek mythology, also known as Cerberus, the three-headed monster that guards the gates of hell.
“Despite having an increase in COVID-19 cases, there has been no pressure on the health system in terms of hospitalizations. Advantageously, vaccines protect us from this serious disease, but we have to work to cover both the first and second vaccination boosters and also that people access vaccination against influenza, which is much more frequent in older adults and children, the age group for which this immunization is intended, with this it prevents the existence of severe acute respiratory infection ”, indicates Pérez.
The number of deaths from COVID-19 has not been updated on the official website since the information is only included up to week 44, just before this outbreak of infections.
Pérez indicates that in epidemiological week 47 there was one death and in week 48 another. “Mortality has not been affected, we expect this to remain so.”
COVID-19 cases skyrocket in Guayaquil: 1,810 cases are reported in the last epidemiological week
Regarding the new existing vaccines in developed countries, such as bivalent, the official affirms that the arrival of new types of vaccines is being evaluated. “There are a series of new developments that are coming out, we have to evaluate them carefully because due to urgency we can make a purchase, but tomorrow a treatment will come out that could be just as good.. Also the vaccine market is somewhat difficult, it is not that they are 100% available to everyone ”.
The national COE (Emergency Operations Committee) plans to meet this Wednesday, December 7 to analyze the new measures that could be implemented in the face of this new wave of infections, above all, as prevention before the arrival of the Christmas and end-of-year festivities. .
Know the vaccination points and those who must be vaccinated in the following link.
What is reported, he adds, is an increase in outpatient care, hospitalizations and non-serious emergencies due to the increase in acute respiratory infections caused by seasonal influenza. “There is no saturation in any way, if we see that the situation is increasing week by week, we will take the necessary measures, but it has not happened, we continue to monitor it.”
Outpatient care rose by almost 600% in the period from epidemiological week 45 to 48. An example of this is that it went from treating 100 cases a week to 700 due to non-serious respiratory diseases.
In addition, cases of severe respiratory infections (SARI) are due to the influenza A/H3-N2 virus. The population groups with the highest incidence are 2 to 5 years old and the elderly, reports the MSP.
Epidemiologist Andrea Gómez affirms that vaccination against COVID-19 does not generate long-term immunity and that the permanent mutation means that booster doses are needed constantly from time to time, especially those who have problems with the immune system .
“It is important to keep the corresponding doses up to date. In the United States, an updated vaccine called bivalent is used, they use both the genetic material of the initial virus and those that currently exist, which are variants that change, so the body is no longer ready to defend itself against them.
The positive thing, he adds, is that the vaccines available in Ecuador are efficient in avoiding mortality and cases of severe hospitalization. “However, there are cases of mild to moderate disease, so it is necessary to update the vaccines on the one hand and keep the reinforcements up to date,” says Gómez.
The best thing to do, says Chérrez, is to complete the national four-dose schedule and wait until 2023 when the more expensive bivalent vaccines are expected to arrive. “We must use the ones we have, let’s carry out a massive campaign so that people complete their four doses and even that will take time until these new vaccines appear.”
Recommendations in view of the increase in cases of respiratory virus infections, including COVID-19
The epidemiologist Aquiles Rodrigo Enríquez first advises that those who have not yet done so complete the third and fourth dose of any of the vaccines available against COVID-19 in Ecuador.
“Those who already have a fourth dose do not need a fifth dose. And if it becomes necessary, the use of bivalent vaccines is recommended, which contain a combination against two different types of COVID-19 virus. These vaccines are not yet available in Ecuador, they are expected to arrive in the course of 2023.
Until they arrive, Enríquez recommends the use of masks, especially in places with a lot of people and little ventilation, such as closed spaces or public transport. “Isolate yourself at home if you have respiratory symptoms, such as a cough or severe nasal congestion. And if you must leave the house, wear a mask. Maintain good ventilation at home, work and school and intensify hand washing.
Finally, adds Enríquez, in the case of children under 5 years of age and over 65, it is recommended to be up to date with regular vaccinations, including the annual vaccination against seasonal influenza (flu). (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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