They increase contagions, admissions e deaths Covid in Italy. With the vaccination campaign proceeding slowly. A situation that appears destined to get worse: for doctors the peak, like the flu, will come after Christmas. This, while the current panorama is not reassuring: the contagions (by 16,1% in seven days), i admissions (by 25%), i deaths (by 23,8%). Worrying numbers but also not very real now that swabs are used much less. The increase in the circulation of the virus, however, cannot escape the deaths, which according to the doctors of the Federation of oncologists, cardiologists and hematologists have doubled in the last four weeks and risk exceeding 15 thousand deaths on an annual basis. What to do? Virologists launch a proposal: “Let's protect ourselves with masks“. The invitation is to make them indispensable at least for those who work in contact with others, or because they are fragile. But what are the symptoms today of Covid?
Covid: what variants are circulating and what are the symptoms?
The variants in circulation are always part of the family Omicron and they do not appear more serious than in the past. This is the nicknamed variant Eris (EG.5) together with the various sub-lineages including EG.5.1 – it is the prevalent one in our country – and Pyrola (BA.2.86), considered potentially more insidious.
Also symptoms of the two variants are very similar to those already experienced in the three years of the pandemic: cold, runny nose, sore throat and cough, therefore congestion of the upper respiratory tract. High fever can occur, especially with Pirola, and in some cases even loss of taste and smell.
Now the occupation of intensive therapies is low and this demonstrates the current modest lethality of the virus. Despite this, the majority of patients are hospitalized in ordinary departments, and this involves the occupation of beds which are taken away from other needs.
How is the vaccination going?
According to the latest report, the one from last week, they are one million people immunized against the virus. Among those over 70, only 7% have been vaccinated and among the frail, the percentages are even lower.
Meanwhile, today Tuesday 5 December, the Ministry of Health has convened a meeting control room to take stock of the lack adherence to new vaccines. The idea would be to speed up the organisation vaccination open days, so as to receive the vaccine without bureaucratic procedures or complicated appointments.
Flu cases are also increasing
The sudden drop in temperatures also brings with it a lot influence. In the last week, according to the weekly bulletin of the Higher Institute of Health, 542 thousand cases have been recorded, for a total of over 2,3 million Italians with fever, colds and joint pain. The incidence has increased in all age groups, but children under the age of 5 are most affected, in which it is 17,9 cases per thousand assisted (15,9 in the previous week). Data which is however much lower than last season, when in this same week the incidence in children was double what it is today.
Virologists: “Let's go back to wearing masks”
To block this trend we need to put the masks, especially for those who are in contact with the most vulnerable people and patients. Furthermore, a more persuasive vaccination campaign is needed. Some of the virologists who have been working on the Covid front for years think this way.
Normally the peak of the flu occurs between the end of December and the beginning of January. For Covid, we are already approaching a period of maximum intensity: the infections have started to run again, and will most likely tend to grow, until they reach thepeak in December-January. The question, however, is not when, but for how long it will remain high.
Covid symptoms: what to do if you are positive?
Starting August 11, 2023 there is no longer any obligation to isolate for people who tested positive for Covid (art. 9 of the Legislative Decree 10 August 2023, n. 105).
However, the Ministry of Health recommends observing the same precautions valid for preventing the transmission of respiratory infections:
- wear a surgical or FFP2 mask when coming into contact with other people;
- if you are symptomatic, stay home until symptoms subside;
- follow correct hand hygiene (washing them often with soap and water or using an effective hand sanitizer);
- avoid crowded environments;
- avoid contact with fragile, immunosuppressed people, pregnant women and avoid going to hospitals or RSAs;
- if you test positive, inform the elderly, frail or immunosuppressed people with whom you have been in contact;
- frail or immunosuppressed people can contact their doctor if the symptoms do not resolve after three days or if the clinical condition worsens.
