A new wave of cases of COVID-19 in South America sets off alarm bells and makes the warnings to maintain health care remain in force and are reinforced by health specialists.
In the last 28 days, more than 13.7 million cases and more than 40,000 new deaths were reported globally, representing an increase of 36% and a decrease of 2%, respectively, compared to the previous month. Given the increase in COVID cases, it must be taken into account that lineages of the Omicron variant are currently circulating that are more transmissible than the previous variants.
The chances of reinfection by COVID-19 increase when the virus changes enough that the body does not remember it. Prevention measures are various. The Australian Virologist Ian Mackay has proposed to compare these “protocols” with a slice of cheese with holes.
In this context, the main care that they emphasize maintaining are:
VENTILATION IN CLOSED ENVIRONMENTS MUST BE PERMANENT
The coronavirus is mainly transmitted through the air. If a person is infected (with or without symptoms) they can transmit the virus by exhaling, coughing, sneezing, speaking, shouting, or singing. For this reason, it is important to reduce the use of enclosed spaces or use permanent cross ventilation. If the meeting cannot be held outdoors, the windows must be constantly opened.
BE UP-TO-DATE WITH VACCINES AGAINST COVID AND ITS REINFORCEMENTS
It must be borne in mind that if a person gets the virus again, reinfection may not be a trivial picture. They can suffer sequelae that are known as prolonged COVID. Therefore, today it is important that people have the complete primary scheme and the corresponding reinforcements. Vaccines take care of having severe forms of COVID-19 and reduce the risk of death.
USE CHINAS IN CLOSED ENVIRONMENTS AND WITH MANY PEOPLE
Although in several countries it is no longer mandatory, the use of the chinstrap also reduces the risk of catching the coronavirus and transmitting it to other people. If the person is infected but without symptoms and does not wear a mask to block the aerosols, they will surely spread the virus into the air that can be inhaled by others nearby.
WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY AND USE ALCOHOL GEL
Frequent hand washing or the use of alcohol gel is recommended. If you go on a trip you have to include it in the suitcase. If you go out to eat in restaurants and bars, it is recommended to choose the tables that are outside to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.
WATCH OUT FOR SYMPTOMS
The most common symptoms of COVID are fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, headache, muscle pain, diarrhea or vomiting, loss of smell or taste, and runny nose or nasal congestion. If any symptoms are detected, you can do the self-test (which you can buy in pharmacies) or attend the test in public centers, according to the guidelines in force for each country.