As long as there are relaxations, transmissions will increase, Head of the Scientific Advisory Committee and Assistant Professor of Pathology at the European University and Pathologist with specialization in Infection Control, Dr. Constantine Tsioutis, told CNA on Saturday, who estimates that other epidemiological indicators may also increase in the coming period.
Asked by the Cyprus News Agency to comment on the rise in the positivity rate and cases recorded in recent days and whether this translates into a new setback, Dr. Tsioutis explains that "what unfortunately had prevailed as a concept and as a mindset when the Omicron wave first appeared, and has now been reversed based on current data, was that the pandemic was coming to an end or that Omicron was causing mild disease."
However, he stresses that at the moment "all predictive models and several schools of thought since the beginning of the year have been overturned", noting that this makes sense, "since we have a highly contagious strain and at the same time we are making relaxations, while giving the impression to the whole world that we are done and that there is no need to implement measures."
"It is expected to see the phenomena we are seeing today," Dr. Tsioutis stressed.
25% of total deaths due to Covid -19 recorded within 2022
According to Konstantinos Tsioutis, at the moment, transmissions are being recorded everywhere within the community, to note that "unfortunately, we are seeing it reaching individuals who are more likely to end up in hospital or die."
He also reports that although the proportion of case fatalities is low, nevertheless a large number of deaths are recorded every day, noting that 25% of the total deaths due to Covid 19 were recorded within 2022.
[/P][BR][BR]Asked where the increase was due to, he said it was due to measures that we know when relaxed lead to an increase and transmission.
"For months now we have seen a mentality of relaxing personal protective measures. And the impression has prevailed that they are no longer needed, when on the contrary, now is when they are needed more than ever."
He stresses "now is the time for both individual responsibility and individual protection", noting that "these are the most important principles that we must stress and remind ourselves of."
Furthermore, he notes that "what is happening at this time is a careful unlocking of society, so that the situation does not become uncontrollable, but alongside this unlocking we must not forget the basic self-protection measures that we have been applying since the first day of the pandemic (distancing, masks, tests)".
"Unfortunately or fortunately, these are the most effective measures we have. We have to learn to live with the virus. And what does that mean today? Not to limit the economy of the country and the social activity of individuals, but these basic concepts must not be forgotten and must be applied," he said.
Asked if the NAC is aware of the meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Vaccination, which will be held on Monday, on the administration of the 4th dose of vaccine to immunocompromised people, Tsioutis said that "it is a good time to discuss this issue for very specific population groups."
He noted that in any case this issue is also being discussed at international level, adding that "there is no scientific or epidemiological justification for administering the 4th dose to the general population, but only to very specific groups of the population, such as immunosuppressed people and the elderly whose immune system does not respond well".
Referring further to the issue of administering the 4th dose, Dr. Tsioutis said that opinions must be based on data, adding that there is an institution that will decide.
He expressed confidence that the National Vaccine Advisory Committee will weigh all the data and make the wisest decision based on the current evidence.
Source: CNA
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