As of today, Monday, March 28, Spain enters into a new phase of management of the coronavirus pandemic in which only serious cases and in vulnerable settings (health centers, day care centers or prisons) will be counted.
The main reason given by the authorities is the high immunity levels reached. According to the latest data, more than 92% of the Spanish population over 12 years of age is vaccinated with the complete regimen.
The new roadmap raises doubts
But this new roadmap, always subject to all the indicators of the care services being at a low risk level and in more than half of the autonomous communities, raises doubts among the population.
The new implies “accept a certain level of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in vaccinated and young populations in which the infection has a minor population impact in terms of severity”.
Of course, it is emphasized that it cannot be assumed to be the “last variant of concern” with different characteristics of transmissibility, immunological escape, and severity.
Who will now undergo a PCR test or an antigen test?
- vulnerable people. Over 60 years of age, immunosuppressed due to intrinsic or extrinsic causes (transplants, primary immunodeficiencies, people who have received anti-CD20 drugs or belimumab in the last three months -to treat certain types of systemic lupus erythematosus-, Down syndrome over 40 years of age ).
- pregnant.
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People who reside, attend, are hospitalized or work in vulnerable areasas well as those workers who provide support and care for vulnerable patients.
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Those who have traveled in the last 14 days to a region where a variant of interest or concern is circulating that has not yet been detected in our country.
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Submit a acute respiratory infection picture lower respiratory tract requiring hospital admission (preferably diagnosed by PCR).
I have mild symptoms, what do I do?
The new control strategy for the coronavirus pandemic, which comes into force today, explains that it is recommended that the person who presents mild symptoms and who meets the criteria for indicating a diagnostic test should contact the health system of your autonomous community and remain at home until you obtain the result of the diagnostic test.
If it is positive, will be considered a confirmed case.
If the result were negative It is considered that the symptoms are not due to COVID-19 and you must follow the instructions given by the health care services.
What if I work in vulnerable environments?
In the case of workers in vulnerable environments, they will not go to their workplace during the first 5 days from the onset of symptoms. And if they are asymptomatic, from the date of diagnosis.
After this time, and provided that 24 hours have elapsed after the disappearance of the fever or improvement of the symptoms, a
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If the result is negative You will be able to return to your workplace.
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If the result is positive The test may be repeated every 24 hours until a negative result is obtained, which is necessary to be able to return to his job.
What if I think I’m serious?
In case of presenting severity criteria or poor evolution (dyspnea, fever greater than 38ºC for more than three days…) you should contact your doctor or the health system as established in the autonomous community.
And always observing all personal transmission control measures and using, if possible, a private means of transport in case you need to travel.
Who has to quarantine from today?
In the general population, the mild and asymptomatic cases They will not do isolation.
Close contacts, regardless of whether or not they are immunized against COVID, will not quarantine either.
Asymptomatic cases are those that do not experience symptoms of the disease (cough, dyspnea, sore throat or diarrhea) or are very mild.
The positives, should they take precautionary measures?
Yeah. Asymptomatic or mild confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 should take extreme preventive measures for contagion.
This means that social interactions should be reduced as much as possible, constantly using and maintaining adequate hand hygiene for 10 days after the onset of symptoms.
Especially avoid contact with vulnerable people and participation in mass events.
Whenever possible and in the event that you are not susceptible to temporary disability due to your symptoms, teleworking is recommended.
Do I have to notify my contacts of the positive?
Confirmed cases should inform their close contacts of their positive diagnosis so that they exercise caution and watch for symptoms related to the disease.
As already indicated, from today close contacts (anyone who has been in the same place as a case, within a distance of less than two meters and for a total cumulative time of more than 15 minutes in 24 hours) They don’t have to quarantine.
Only should reduce social interactions “as much as possible” constantly using the mask and maintaining adequate hand hygiene.
Especially contact with vulnerable people should be avoided.
Of course, this guide emphasizes that “public health authorities may establish additional actions regarding the management of close contacts when they consider it necessary in specific situations or areas.”
And the reinfected?
Confirmed cases “are mandatory notification at all levels.”
Thus, cases of reinfection are also mandatory to report and “must be notified of…