The fifth wave of the pandemic has caused a surge in COVID-19 cases in the U.S., sparking discussions about whether mask mandates should return and the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
More than two-thirds of the U.S. population has tested positive for COVID-19, and 78 percent are part of the Omicron BA5 subvariant, which is not only more contagious but also has more severe symptoms. However, health measures to prevent contracting the disease have been reduced over time.
The use of masks, antibacterial gel, and other things have been left behind, as people have had to return to normality. However, while precautionary measures lose importance, the virus advances.
"The virus is not fast, but it moves," said Ben Neuman, professor of biology and head of virology at Global Health in a panel organized by Ethnic Media Services where experts met to discuss the risks posed by new variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.
Neuman stressed the importance of the population getting the COVID-19 vaccine as well as its boosters, because although they do not rule out the possibility of becoming infected, they reduce complications, hospitalizations and deaths. “We have to use the tools we have as much as we can,” he said.
There are more positive cases than reported
For his part, Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine specializing in the treatment of infectious diseases, commented that the numbers of people who have tested positive for the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus are higher than those officially reported, since there are those who perform the tests at home or those who simply let the disease pass. "If 1,300 cases are reported a day, there are probably actually a million," he said.
"The true number of infections is much higher than what we are counting," said William Schaffner, a professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
He also noted that in his experience, rapid COVID-19 tests are less likely to report a positive result in cases of Omicron's BA5 subvariant.
He also stressed that respiratory infections have increased during this summer season, but this does not mean that all people who have symptoms have the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, so it is best to take a PCR test instead of a rapid test at home.
Discussions continue over the use of masks
States like California have considered reinstating mask mandates, but have backed off because COVID-19 cases have been declining. “That will be up to local authorities to decide,” Schaffner said, but he recommended that masks be worn at least by those at risk of complications, including older adults and people with underlying health conditions.
“Just because we don’t have a mask mandate in public spaces doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea to wear a mask, so it’s still a very strong recommendation even if you’re fully vaccinated and you have your boosters, because who wants to be at home for 5 days?” Chin-Hong said, noting that they not only allow those wearing them to protect themselves, but they also protect all levels of society.
Neuman commented that “from a technical standpoint, masks work, they are always a very good idea and we should have mask mandates and vaccine mandates.”
Is Paxlovid a viable treatment?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Paxlovid is still recommended as a treatment for early-stage mild to moderate COVID-19 disease in patients at high risk for severe disease, preventing hospitalization and death. However, people with kidney or liver problems are not eligible to receive the drug.
"It prevents the development of a more serious disease," said Schaffner, who along with his wife received the treatment when they were eligible, because although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for emergency use, there are a series of requirements that patients must meet to obtain Paxlovid.
The requirements for using Paxlovid as a treatment are:
- Having tested positive for COVID-19 infection
- Have mild or moderate disease
- Have one or more risk factors for progression to severe disease
- Not requiring hospitalization at the time of starting treatment
- No evidence of renal or hepatic impairment
For more information on vaccines visit https://covid19.ca.gov/es/vaccines/.
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