In about 15 days it would be possible to know if the measures announced by the Government have had an effect in reducing infections according to analysts.
The ómicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, whose transmissibility is faster, would already be the prevalent in infections in Ecuador.
On December 14, the first case of this variant was identified in Quito. It was a 48-year-old engineer who left the country in mid-November to carry out an investigation in the African continent.
Three days later it was confirmed the second case in Guayaquil, unrelated to the first.
Ministry of Health confirms presence of omicron variant in Ecuador
According to Minister of Health, Ximena Garzón, of the genotifications of samples taken from infected persons that have been received, the 80 % corresponds to the variant omicron, that causes milder cases and is more contagious; Meanwhile he 20 % remains of the variant delta, which is the one that generates the most serious symptoms, as well as hospital occupation.
In the last four weeks, of the number of samples analyzed, there is already a prevalence in Ecuador of the omicron variant, according to Andrea Gómez, medical epidemiologist, health worker and university teacher, taking international analysis as a reference.
“At this moment it is already probable that it is the cause, the omicron, of the increase in cases; but also because of the relaxation, etc., that there have been in recent days due to the festivities ”, he argued.
According to the expert, there is a accelerated increase in cases, but it is not possible to speak of a regrowth, because the pandemic has never been controlled and the waves continue.
“It could be a part for the variant omicron; the variant also continues to circulate delta, which is decreasing in prevalence … ”, he said.
Damaris intriago, research professor at SEK University and Master in Molecular Medicine, consider that the increase sustained number of COVID-19 cases It has occurred due to negligence on the part of the population, as well as poor communication from the authorities.
That, Intriago added, made people have a false sense of security and put aside biosecurity measures, such as distancing, the use of a mask, avoiding crowds. In addition, there is a community transmission of the omicron variant.
For Gómez, within 10-15 days it will be possible to know if the implemented measures, such as reduced capacity or return to virtualityhave had an effect; otherwise, there will probably be an increase in cases until the end of January.
The national Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) decided that, until January 23, 2022 and since last Tuesday, January 4, the public sector of the Executive function work with a capacity of 50%. It is estimated that there are around 250,000 people.
Intriago pointed out that, although the majority of cases of this variant do not translate into serious or severe cases that require an intensive care unit (ICU), there could be hospitalizations that, together with the sustained increase in cases, would generate a pressure on the healthcare system, workers and other pathologies.
To know if this rise in infections corresponds to the omicron or the delta or a combination, for Intriago it is necessary to know data from genomic surveillance, so it is imperative – he noted – that there is a strengthening the sequencing system.
He recalled that the omicron transmissibility is two to three times faster than delta. That also makes the number of cases double faster and that in two or four days there are double the reported infections, added Intriago.
Hospitals of the IESS and the Ministry of Health apply strategies to treat COVID-19; patients with respiratory symptoms increase
According to Gómez, a measure that could be implemented is reduce from six to five months the booster dose for people between 18 and 49 years.
The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) decided advance the placement of the booster dose for various sectors without distinction of age, but who have completed five months since the second anti-COVID-19 injection.
These groups include the following: firefighters, Armed forces, local governments, teachers, National Police, people in mobility, trash collectors, health workers, the Red Cross and workers in sectors such as drinking water and sewerage, electricity, oil and mining, telecommunications, air and land transport.
“It would help above all reduce the probability of severe cases of mortality with this new variant, since it has been seen that with the third dose the probability of illness, hospitalization, especially, is greatly reduced ”, indicated the epidemiologist.
Intriago is concerned about over-demand for diagnostic tests, which could create a relative shortage.
Garzón asked the population to extreme biosecurity measures: use of a mask, keep areas ventilated, 50% capacity, social distancing. (I)
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