Scientists Dimitris Paraskevi and Alkiviadis Vatopoulos, talk about the executives of the subgroups BA.4 and BA.5 and advise the citizens to wear a mask and avoid synchronization.
The increase of cases of coronavirus recorded in recent days and in our country, is not a surprise to scientists. Overlapping waves are to be expected, but that does not mean that protection measures should not be taken. The new reality puts a dominant role in our behavior as a whole, on which the size of the growth depends and includes measures of personal protection in our daily life that must become a habit, but also the vaccination against covid-19. In fact, the National Vaccination Committee made a suggestion fourth dose of vaccine (2nd souvenir) for those over 30 and the platform for scheduling appointments opens on June 27.
For the increase of the cases recorded in the last days and the course of the pandemic, APE-MPE addressed two members of the committee of experts of the Ministry of Health. Him Dimitris ParaskeviFirst Vice President of the National Organization of Public Health (EODY), Associate Professor of Epidemiology – Preventive Medicine, of the Medical School of EKPA and the Alkiviadis VatopoulosProfessor of Microbiology at the University of West Attica.
The two scientists emphasize that in order to reduce the risk of transmission, we should avoid synchronization, make proper use of the mask, with Mr. Vatopoulos even emphasizing that “he wears a mask in the super market and where there is synchronicity”.
Mr. Paraskevi adds that if we show symptoms, we should stay home and perform frequent diagnostic tests.
The reasons for the increase in cases
“The increase was expected and is similar in many parts of the world due to the circulation of BA.4 and BA.5 strains.” says Mr. Paraskevi. The reasons mainly concern the circulation of the strains from the subgroups BA.4 and BA.5 which show greater infectivity and possibility of immune escape which in combination with the weakening of the protection of the vaccine against the infection make the field favorable for their transmission. Also, the increased mobility of the population due to the tourist season and the relaxation conditions that prevail in the tourist areas, contribute to the increase of cases.
The epidemic is not over – Successive epidemic waves
It is clear that the epidemic is not over, we will have outbreaks and recessions and we must realize this new reality and everyone must take protection measures, says Mr. Vatopoulos. “It is clear and we have said for a long time that we will have evolving overlapping epidemic waves. That is, we will have ups and downs that last two to three months. We should not be surprised and talk that we have an increase in cases. “Obviously we will have an increase in cases and we hope that we will not have many patients with severe disease due to the immunity of the population, either due to vaccinations, or a previous infection, or both.”
Each variant chosen is more contagious and beyond that the immunity we have is not 100%, adds Mr. Vatopoulos. “We have said that the vaccine protects against the serious disease, so people get stuck and transmit it. “Now how what we see in front of us will evolve, what will happen, I do not think it is easy to say.”
What does the new regularity include?
We must realize the new reality. “Overall, our behavior depends on where the system will balance and this is not easy to predict,” said Mr. Vatopoulos.
According to him, the new regularity includes constant vigilance and implementation of personal protection measures. “I believe that the mask should enter our daily lives, we should wear a mask, where there is overcrowding, regardless of what the laws say. Yes, there is no penalty when you do not wear a mask, but the mask is still useful and protective. “I wear a mask when I go to the supermarket or somewhere that is very crowded,” he emphasizes.
In fact, he refers to our other habits such as wearing a hat when we go out in the sun, a belt in the car, a motorcycle helmet.
He adds that we need to adjust our regularity in such a way as to deal with increased cases. “The message should not be to remove the mask. It is not legally obligatory, but the new regularity must include the use of a mask, avoidance of coloration, measures of personal protection “. But the state, says Mr. Vatopoulos, must take action. “The new regularity should include things that can reduce the mandatory crowds, such as e.g. more buses “. Mr. Vatopoulos expresses concern about the possibility of increasing the absences of employees from their work. “What worries me is the absences from work. We may not have serious incidents but we may have many absences from work which is also an issue, and it makes sense to happen. “Just because something is expected does not mean that you should not take action.”
Fourth dose
On Monday, June 27 at emvolio.gov.gr, the platform of appointments for vaccination against covid-19 will open with the 2nd booster dose (4th dose) for all those who wish it over 30 years. Vaccination remains a strong recommendation for those over 60, where the dating platform has been open since April.
“Regarding people in the general population under the age of 60, the National Vaccination Committee points out that there is currently insufficient scientific data on the additional benefit that a second booster dose would offer with existing vaccines. However, the National Vaccination Committee recommends that the possibility of vaccination with a second booster dose be given to people aged 30 to 59 years if they choose “.
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