Opinión Quiral núm. 42.2: La sexta ola: desde la epidemiología y desde las UCI
2022
Some of the variants of SARS-CoV-2 – resulting from the mutation processes typical of a virus that has spread around the globe over a period of two years – have presented real challenges in managing the pandemic. The most recent example, the Omicron variant, caused a sixth wave with an unprecedented number of cases of Covid-19.
The Quiral Opinion debate The sixth wave: from epidemiology and from the ICUs took place on 23rd March at Fundació Vila Casas, with the president, Antoni Vila Casas, and patron, Miquel Vilardell, welcoming the participants. The expert speakers from the field were Dr Magda Campins, Head of the Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology Service and member of the Epidemiology and Public Health Research Group at Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), and Dr Pere Domingo, Coordinator of Covid Hospitalization at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona.
Dr Magda Campins explained that the sixth wave has had the highest number of cases, but not the highest rates of hospitalization nor mortality, and she highlighted the characteristics of the Omicron variant: higher rates of transmission and evasion of natural and vaccine related immunity as compared to previous variants, as well as a reduction in the effectiveness of antivirals, without an increase in the severity of the infection. She also outlined the most likely future scenario in which the illness will be light for most people, but with a strong impact on people who are vulnerable or unvaccinated. She pointed out the need to improve supervision systems, vaccination with booster doses and reinforce communication on the importance of wearing masks to protect the vulnerable population.
Dr Pere Domingo spoke about the great milestone that has been reached with the development of the vaccines and that there are currently up to three antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibody treatments available for the most vulnerable patients. He finished by remarking on two important challenges: immunosuppressed patients and the child population, both with low immunity, as a breeding ground for new variants and strains that arise from animal reservoirs of the virus.
Finally, they stressed the need to reinforce supervision systems, integrate information systems, promote vaccination, evaluate the need for a fourth dose against new variants and continue research into treatments.
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