Many countries have increased the number of cases and hospitalizations due to Covid-19
On January 16, the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health sent an official dispatch to the Department of Health. Health of provinces/cities on strengthening epidemic prevention and control during the occasion Tet Lunar New Year and the 2024 festival season. Currently, the situation of infectious diseases in the world is still complicated, especially respiratory diseases. </p >
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in December 2023, the world recorded nearly 10,000 deaths due to Covid-19 and hospitalizations increased by 42% compared to November 2023. New variants by SARS-CoV-2 is still constantly mutating and JN.1 has rapidly increased globally.
The US, China and some European countries also recorded a resurgence in Covid-19 infections along with the spread of other respiratory diseases such as seasonal flu and synovial viruses. respiratory virus (RSV).
Specifically, the US recorded more than 29,000 hospitalizations for Covid-19 treatment across the US from December 17 to 23, 2023, an increase of more than 16% compared to the previous week and reported More than 14,700 people were hospitalized for the flu during the same time period.
In the UK in the first week of 2024, on average, more than 3,000 people with Covid-19 were hospitalized every day, 68% higher than in early December 2023.
In Italy, the number of people infected with flu and Covid-19 increased in the last two weeks of 2023 with infection rates of 17 5/1,000 and 17 7/1,000. In Spain, the number of flu cases increased by 75% in the last week of 2023, with the most cases being flu leading to severe pneumonia.
AP reported WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said holiday gatherings and a fast-spreading variant are behind a surge in Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths worldwide with nearly 10,000 deaths reported report last month.
The head of the UN health agency said: “While 10,000 deaths per month is a much lower number than at the peak of the pandemic, the This death is unacceptable.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Dac Phu, former Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, also identified the risk of a rebound in the number of Covid-19 cases in Vietnam. Our country exists. However, we should not worry too much, it is important to protect vulnerable groups against Covid-19 such as the elderly, children, immunocompromised people, people who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19...</p >
People need to take preventive measures such as wearing disinfectant masks… in at-risk areas to avoid an increase in the number of cases.
“People with suspected symptoms and those in contact with people with suspected symptoms must wear masks. This not only helps prevent Covid-19 but also respiratory infections. different from influenza A and influenza B…” Dr. Phu said.
Which variant is dominant globally?
WHO said the JN.1 variant is currently the most prominent variant in the world. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated late last month that this variant accounted for about 44% of Covid-19 infections nationwide.
According to Dr. William Schaffner professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (USA), we can consider the JN.1 variant to be a “grandchild” of the original Omicron strain. It doesn’t cause more severe illness but you may feel miserable for 3-4 days.
He added that the vaccine still provides protection. But with the disease spreading too much, it will affect high-risk groups, the elderly, immunocompromised, and chronic diseases.
Public health experts continue to recommend vaccination, in addition to considering wearing masks in certain situations and ensuring indoor areas are well ventilated. .
WHO expert Dr. Michael Ryan said: “Vaccines may not prevent you from getting infected, but they certainly significantly reduce the chance of you being hospitalized or dying.”</p >
Have the symptoms of Covid-19 changed?
According to experts, symptoms and severity of the disease often depend heavily on immunity and a person’s overall health rather than which variant causes the disease.
New survey data from UK health authorities shows that common symptoms of the disease include: Runny nose, cough, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, sore throat, difficulty sleeping, anxiety.. .
In fact, these symptoms are quite similar to a number of other respiratory diseases that often increase during the winter. So distinguishing between Covid-19 flu and RSV based on symptoms alone can be challenging.
The Northern region is still in the season In winter and spring, the monsoon weather is cold and dry, alternating with humid weather. This is the reason why infectious diseases appear and spread, especially respiratory diseases.
In the coming time, the Lunar New Year of Giap Thin 2024 and the festival season at the beginning of the year, increased demand for trade and tourism and unusual weather changes are favorable conditions for agents. causing the disease to spread, increasing the number of infections, especially for children with weak resistance and the elderly with underlying medical conditions.
To strengthen disease prevention, the Department of Preventive Medicine recommends that the Department of Preventive Medicine Provincial health authorities direct the Center for Disease Control and preventive medicine units in the area to regularly and closely monitor the epidemic situation in the area.
It is important to monitor the increase in cases of respiratory diseases and severe cases of viral pneumonia.
Medical facilities perform well the work of admitting patients, minimizing serious cases of death and controlling infections to prevent cross-infection in medical facilities.< /p>
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