Experts appeal to the use of the mask and warn of the “loss of risk perception”
The rise of the epidemic curve is accelerating, leading some experts to fear that we are on the verge of a new wave. The Region of Murcia experienced an increase of almost eight points in the cumulative incidence over fourteen days on Monday, from 72.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants to 80.4. In addition, the 100 daily positives are once again exceeded. Specifically, Health reported 120 cases corresponding to Monday. Infections grow in all age groups, although especially in those under 12 years of age, who are the only group still unvaccinated. The incidence already reaches 119 positives per 100,000 in this segment of the population.
The number of active cases in the Region amounts to 912, almost 300 more than a week ago. But, despite this escalation, the pressure on hospitals due to Covid remains low. 44 infected patients remain hospitalized (three more than the previous day). Of them, 13 are in ICU. In addition, Health did not report any death from coronavirus yesterday. There are already six consecutive days without deaths attributable to the virus.
Thanks to vaccines, which protect above all from severe Covid and death, the pandemic data “should be read in another way,” says Enrique Bernal, specialist in infectious diseases and Covid coordinator of the Reina Sofía. But although a potential explosion of infections is not predictably going to collapse hospitals as in the early stages of the pandemic, experts call to try to stop the increase in incidence.
Bernal observes the current trend “with considerable concern.” “It is too early to say that we are facing a sixth wave, but this may be the beginning,” he warns. Although vaccination coverage is very high (77.2% of the population has completed the guideline), there are still 314,000 people without protection in the Region: 201,000 children under 12 years of age, to which we must add 113,425 Murcians who, despite forming part of the target population, have not come to receive even the first dose. The virus “moves to the unvaccinated population”, as shown by the incidence rates in children under 12 years of age, and to this must be added the fact that vaccines are showing less efficacy in preventing infection than in preventing hospitalizations and deaths.
“It was something predictable”
For Shirley Pérez, specialist in Preventive Medicine at the Reina Sofía, the escalation in infections “was something predictable” and is due to “the loss of risk perception”, which has led to “a relaxation in the use of the mask” . Enrique Bernal agrees and regrets that we are forgetting the use of this protective element, especially in celebrations and indoors. But Shirley Pérez warns: also outdoors it is necessary to use a mask if the safety distance cannot be guaranteed.
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