The seventh wave of the is hitting Spain hard. According to the latest report from the Ministry of Health (pending the latest update), more than 80,000 cases have been reported in our country. infections.
Of these, more than half have occurred in people over 60 years of age, the age group from which is taken into account to calculate the cumulative incidence, which stands at 1,135.30 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. As for the deceased, there have been 188 deaths.
The new subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, are responsible for the increase in infections this summer. And with this already in ten countries and “five times more contagious.”
At present, except for Catalonia, medical leave due to coronavirus infection is not automatic.
The , from last March, 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”.
Who undergoes a PCR test or an antigen test?
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Vulnerable people. Over 60 years of age, immunosuppressed due to intrinsic or extrinsic causes: transplants, primary immunodeficiencies, people who have received anti-CD20 or belimumab drugs in the last three months (to treat certain types of systemic lupus erythematosus) or Down syndrome over 40 years of age .
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Pregnant.
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People who reside, attend, are hospitalized or work in vulnerable areas, as 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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Presenting a picture of acute lower respiratory tract infection that requires hospital admission (preferably diagnosed by PCR).
I have mild symptoms, what do I have to do?
The control strategy of the coronavirus pandemic recommends that the person who presents mild symptoms and who meets the criteria for indicating a diagnostic test, contact the health system of their autonomous community and remain at home until they obtain the result of the diagnostic test.
If it is positive, it is considered a confirmed case.
If the result is 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 should not go to the 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, an antigen test will be performed.
If the result is negative, you can return to your workplace.
If the result is positive, the test can 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 criteria of severity or poor evolution (dyspnea, fever greater than 38ºC for more than three days…) you must contact your doctor or the health system in the manner 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.
Do you have to quarantine?
In the general population, mild and asymptomatic cases should not be isolated.
Close contacts, regardless of whether or not they are immunized against COVID, will not quarantine either.
Asymptomatic cases are those who do not experience symptoms of the disease (cough, dyspnea, sore throat or diarrhea) or these are very mild.
If you are positive, these are the precautionary measures
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 the mask and maintaining adequate hand hygiene for 10 days after the onset of symptoms.
Contact with vulnerable people and participation in mass events should be especially avoided.
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 may 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) do not have to quarantine.
They should only reduce social interactions “as much as possible” by constantly using the mask and maintaining adequate hand hygiene.
Especially contact with vulnerable people should be avoided.
Of course, this guide emphasizes that “the public health authorities may establish additional actions regarding the management of close contacts when they deem it necessary in specific situations or areas”.
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