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Dr. Tsioutis at politis.com.cy: Cyprus at the beginning of a new pandemic outbreak

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Dr. Tsioutis at politis.com.cy: Cyprus at the beginning of a new pandemic outbreak

Cyprus, it seems, will not avoid the vortex of developments in relation to the pandemic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as there is now a spread in the community of the “Delta” variant (Indian), a strain which is 6 times more contagious from the British. The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) on Wednesday sounded the alarm, saying that, based on available scientific data, the Indian mutation would account for 70% of new coronavirus cases in Europe in early August and 90% by the end of the year. of August. At the same time, scientists are warning internationally that the next wave will be mainly against the unvaccinated, who insist on their stance, despite the fact that the available vaccines have been shown to be effective against the “Delta” mutation.

At the beginning of a new upsurge

Speaking to http://politis.com.cy, the head of the Advisory Scientific Committee of the Minister of Health, Konstantinos Tsiotis, said that Cyprus is at the beginning of a new upsurge, which has several conditions to lead to a new burden on the image and our indicators. According to him, since the “Delta” executive was identified as early as May in domestic incidents in Cyprus, it should be taken for granted that it is transmitted to the community and it should be taken for granted that it could lead to an outbreak similar to that of March. Our way of defense is to be careful in our contacts, to observe the measures that we know protect us and if we have not been vaccinated, to do so.

Analyzing the data of the last few days, Dr. Tsioutis -Assistant Professor of Pathology and Prevention / Infection Control at the European University of Cyprus- points out the following:

  • It has been 6 months since the start of vaccinations in our country and a significant percentage of the adult population (~ 40%) remain unvaccinated
  • The vast majority of older people (> 60 years) are vaccinated
  • A small percentage (5-10%) of vaccinated people may not have sufficient immunity (since we know that vaccines are not 100% effective in preventing infection)
  • We do not know what the actual duration of immunity after vaccination will be
  • The number of patients and the number of cases, as shown by the daily laboratory tests, show a slow but steady increase.
  • From May 10 onwards, we are in a phase of relaxation

Relaxations, he adds, given the above, can lead to an increased number of close contacts and a significant portion of the population remains vulnerable to infection. Undoubtedly, he adds, and if we have continuous transmissions, it is very likely that we will see an outbreak that mainly affects people who are not immune to the virus, that is, unvaccinated people. He also points out that something similar has already begun to be recorded in hospitals for weeks, where the majority of people treated for COVID-19 are unvaccinated.

The third dose of the vaccine is certain

Recently and, since the percentage of vaccination coverage has exceeded 60% (including those who have done only the first dose) in Cyprus, the discussion about giving a third dose of the vaccine is gradually escalating, if not to all those who have been vaccinated, but in specific groups of the population. This is something that is considered a given, from the beginning of the vaccination program, says Dr. Konstantinos Tsioutis, recalling that “similar statements were made by representatives of vaccine companies, considering it very possible to give a repeat dose before the end of one year from the initial vaccination.”

In fact, the Advisory Scientific Committee has stressed to the Ministry of Health that the progress of people who received the vaccine first in December-January, ie the elderly over 70 years and those living in nursing homes, should be monitored, so that we have clinical information about the effectiveness of vaccinations, but also to be vigilant and to identify timely evidence that may signal the need for a repeat dose to these individuals.

Source: politis.com.cy

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