European center uses the example of Portugal to predict more cases of BA.5
“It is expected that the appearance of BA.4 and BA.5 will result in the last countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU/EEA) and in increases in cases of covid-19, as observed in Portugal in recent months” , estimates the ECDC in a paper published on the public health and privacy clause for the second half of the year.
According to the agency, a dimension of this type of protection against the extension of SARS-CoV-2 and previous protection against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the extension of various factors has already increased.
“In Portugal, the place and dominance of BA.5 occurred earlier than other EU/EEA countries”, rThe ECDC states that, after having appeared at the beginning, the growth of the micron desiccation line was associated with an increase in the incidence of covid-19 in all age groups, which peaked in early June .
According to the document, although there is currently no indication of any significant change by BA.5 compared to previous lines, increased circulation of BA.5 was associated with an increase in hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care units (ICU) ) in Portugal.
“The increases associated with hospitalizations and ICU admissions have been primarily driven by people aged 60 and over. Cases of people aged 65 and over in the last five weeks,” the ECDC added.
According to the document, as global trends in reporting cases of covid-19 cases in the UEEEE continue to grow and are increasing in the last five weeks, a relatively recent growth that “signals the growth of a generalized wave disseminated by the BA. 4 and BA variants”. .5″.
The European center highlights that the scientific demonstration that it is after the prevention of the disease also indicates several by the Omicro remains higher, including among the age groups more than two three, with a protection after 90% of the disease Reinforcement, but that goes after three months to six months.
“A second dose of disease booster to non-trial vaccine trials, which remains stable up to 10 but is still available to ECDC.
At this stage of the pandemic, the objective of population protection campaigns should be to reduce hospitalization of serious illness and death from covid-19 and health protection systems, advocates, the ECDC reiterates that a second development not only for protection of the population aged 80 years and over, but also between 60 and 79 years and for people with underlying diseases, regardless of age.
“This would be particularly relevant and impactful in countries where the BA.4 and BA.55 wave is starting or has not yet reached its peak”, warns the European center.
The ECDC also anticipates that Omicro-adapted vaccines will likely be authorized for use in the EU in September, and this year it is expected to be granted during the last quarter.
However, the distribution schedule and its supply are currently being provided with the manufacturers.
The latest data from the Ricardo Jorge Institute (INSA), made available on Friday, indicate that the BA.5 strain of the Ómicron variant, with greater transmission capacity, is responsible for 92% of infections recorded in Portugal.
In recent weeks, mortality due to covid-19 has been on a growing trend, with 20 deaths in 14 days per one million inhabitants approaching Portugal, as well as hospitalizations in wards and intensive care units.