Asuncion, IP Agency.- Following the arrival of a cold front and taking into account that the drop in temperature will continue in the coming days, the Ministry of Health warns that this condition will favor the appearance of respiratory and allergy symptoms, and therefore it urges people to take precautions.
“The most important thing right now is to apply the good practices we acquired during the pandemic,” said the Director General of Health Surveillance, Dr. Andrea Ojeda, referring to protective measures, which include frequent hand washing, ventilation of environments given that the transmission of respiratory viruses is facilitated in closed spaces, covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoiding close contact with people with respiratory symptoms and the use of a face mask if symptoms appear.
The professional pointed out that when a child has a fever, runny nose, cough or any other respiratory symptom, they should not be given medication. “It is important that they rest, after consulting a doctor, and that they do not attend school or daycare in these conditions,” she advised to avoid contagion.
Adults with symptoms should avoid going to work when sick. “This is the main recommendation to prevent the transmission of respiratory viruses,” Ojeda stressed, and thus slow the spread of these conditions.
He also mentioned the importance of annual vaccination against influenza and Covid-19, in order to prevent severe forms. He assures that those who for some reason have not yet agreed to get vaccinated, still have time.
“We have vaccines that prevent us from being hospitalized or dying from these diseases. The intention is not to scare people, but to insist on the measures that must be taken into account to avoid getting sick,” says the head of Health Surveillance.
Epidemiological situation
At the close of week (SE) 30, 29,636 consultations for flu were recorded, showing a slight decrease of 2% compared to the previous week. Even so, the trend curve remains above the alert threshold.
According to Sentinel Surveillance, during this period, 448 patients were hospitalized for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), with a slight increase in the number of hospitalizations, 36 more than the previous week.
60% of those hospitalized are children, with a predominance of boys and girls under 2 years of age at 66%. 40% are adults, of whom 54% are over 60 years of age.
Among those hospitalized for respiratory infections, the circulation of respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, SARS-CoV2, metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus and influenza was identified. It is noteworthy that among those hospitalized for SARS-COV2, none had an annual vaccination and only 4.5% of those hospitalized for influenza had been vaccinated with the annual dose.
Covid-19
In week (SE) 30, 197 positive cases of Covid-19 were reported, reflecting an increase of 10%, similar to that recorded the previous week. The weekly report indicates that the highest percentage of infections, 43%, is concentrated in the Central department.
During this period, 3,512 samples were processed for SARS-COV2, maintaining a positivity rate of 5.6%.
So far, the highest number of people affected by Covid-19 is observed among adults aged 20 to 59 years.
There were also 14 hospitalisations for Covid-19, which shows a decrease in the number of hospitalised patients compared to the previous week. The highest number of hospitalised patients remains in the over-60 age group.
At the close of week (SE) 30, there were no confirmed deaths from Covid-19.
Genomic surveillance reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 variant identified in the highest proportion has been BA.2.86; JN.1 lineages and sublineages circulate among them. In addition, a variant under surveillance, KP.2.3, called Flirt, has been detected in the country.
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2024-08-13 04:41:52
