"Infections are increasing abnormally"! WHO warns, experts remind
2024-08-11
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Novel coronavirus infections are on the rise again.
According to the United Nations News Network, the World Health Organization recently warned that the new coronavirus infection is surging worldwide and the situation is unlikely to improve soon. During the Paris Olympics, at least 40 athletes tested positive for the new coronavirus and other respiratory infections.
China News Service Health noted that the infection rate of the new coronavirus in my country has also increased recently. The national new coronavirus infection epidemic situation in July announced by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on August 8 showed that the positive rate of the new coronavirus in influenza-like cases continued to rise from 8.9% in the 27th week to 18.7% in the 30th week.
Experts interviewed pointed out that the increase in reported cases this summer may be affected by factors such as frequent population movements during the holidays, increased time spent in confined spaces, virus mutations, decreased antibody levels over time, and relaxation of personal prevention and control measures.
The positive rate of COVID-19 has continued to rise recently
"Data from WHO's sentinel surveillance system in 84 countries show that the percentage of positive tests for the new coronavirus has been increasing over the past few weeks," Maria Van Kerkhove, acting director of the WHO's epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention department, said at a press conference in Geneva on the 6th.
Changing trend of COVID-19 and influenza virus positive rates in influenza-like cases in sentinel hospitals across the country. Image source: China CDC official website
In my country, according to data released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the positive rate of influenza-like cases in sentinel hospitals across the country continued to rise in July. In June, the positive rate of influenza-like cases in China also rose slightly.
Lu Hongzhou, director of the National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and president of Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, said in an interview with China News Service that his hospital has also observed similar situations. The positive rate of the new coronavirus has increased since July this year, accounting for about 20% of fever patients. Among these new coronavirus-positive patients, about 10% need to be hospitalized, and they are all older patients with other underlying diseases.
China News Health has noticed that many people on social platforms have recently reported that they have tested positive and have developed symptoms of respiratory infection such as fever, cough, and sore throat.
Why is there an abnormal increase in new coronavirus infections in summer?
Maria Van Kerkhove said such a high rate of infection circulation in the northern hemisphere summer was atypical for respiratory viruses, which tend to spread mainly in cold temperatures.
"Climate has a greater impact on the spread of other respiratory viruses such as influenza, and there is obvious seasonality. But based on the existing data, climate has less impact on the spread of the new coronavirus, and there is no obvious seasonality," said Lu Hongzhou.
Data map: People traveling under the scorching sun. Photo by Zhang Bin, a reporter from China News Service
In his opinion, the high transmission rate of the new coronavirus in the summer may be affected by factors such as increased mobility and gathering of people, virus mutation, relaxation of personal prevention and control measures, and indoor environment. "There are usually more social activities and travel in the summer, which increases the chance of virus transmission. The hot weather and other reasons may cause people to relax prevention and control measures such as wearing masks. Some indoor places are closed for a longer time due to the heat and poor ventilation, which further increases the risk of transmission."
The COVID-19 epidemic situation released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the main prevalent strains in my country in July were the JN.1 series variants and the XDV series variants, among which the proportion of XDV variants increased.
Lu Hongzhou believes that the proportion of XDV variants is on the rise, which may be related to the recent increase in cases. The existing preliminary research results show that its transmission ability, pathogenicity and immune escape ability have not changed significantly compared with JN.1, and the research conclusions need further data support.
He said that over time, the level of antibodies in the human body will gradually decrease, which may lead to a decrease in immunity to the new coronavirus. The increased mobility and gathering of people during the summer vacation, as well as factors such as the environment and personal immune status, may also affect the spread of the new coronavirus.
Should we continue to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The WHO called on the international community to pay attention to the abnormal increase in COVID-19 infections in the summer and recommended vaccination of the most at-risk groups with COVID-19 vaccines.
File photo: A nurse is preparing to inject the new coronavirus vaccine into the recipient. Photo by Liu Zhankun, a reporter from China News Service
So, is it necessary for the general population to continue to receive the COVID-19 vaccine? In Lu Hongzhou's view, people should pay attention to the vaccination recommendations issued by the authorities and make decisions based on their own health conditions, exposure risks and the local epidemic situation.
"Currently, the new coronavirus is still mutating. Although the epidemic situation is relatively stable, there is still a risk of local spread and small-scale epidemics. Vaccination with the new coronavirus vaccine can effectively reduce the risk of severe illness and death after infection and enhance immunity to the virus." Lu Hongzhou said.
He introduced that recent studies have shown that the current vaccine components combined with the infection history of Omicron mutant strains can effectively stimulate a broad-spectrum and highly efficient antibody response against different Omicron mutant strains, providing better protection for the body.
Source | China News Network
