WHO: BA.5 has become the mainstream of the epidemic
The World Health Organization said on August 31 that according to statistics, in the week from August 22 to 28, a total of 4.5 million confirmed cases of the new coronavirus were reported worldwide, a decrease from the previous week 16%, and the number of deaths decreased by 13%, with about 13,500 people unfortunately dying of the disease.
During the same period, the number of new infections in Japan decreased by 15% compared with last week, reaching 1,258,772, the sixth consecutive week the highest in the world. During the same period, Japan's death toll from the new crown increased by 23% from last week to 1,990, second only to the United States (2,818), which ranks second in the world. South Korea (740,000) and the United States (570,000) are second only to Japan in the number of new infections in a week.
WHO says infection rates have fallen around the world, but deaths in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific have risen by 15% and 3% respectively. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that with the approaching winter in the northern hemisphere and the possibility of more dangerous mutated virus strains, experts expect a surge in hospitalizations and deaths.
In addition, the results of the genetic analysis reported by the WHO showed that in the week from August 14 to August 20, 78.2% of was the subtype "BA.5" of of the Omicron strain. This shows that BA.5, which Tedros called "the most infectious", has become the mainstream of the epidemic. The Omicron strain, including BA.5, accounted for 99.6% of the reported samples for the month ended August 29.
Tedros said that even in rich countries, the vaccination rate is still too low, and that 30% of health workers and two adults are still not vaccinated.
Affected by BA.5 Chen Xiuxi: The death rate of people over 65 years old has increased by more than 30% Moderate and severe cases and the mortality rate are on the rise, especially in the elderly over 65 years old, the mortality rate has increased by 33%.
Taiwan University School of Public Health Professor Chen XiuxiOn August 31, led a research team to analyze the development of the world's COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease) epidemic through the "New Coronary Pneumonia Epidemic Prevention Science Online Live".
Chen Xiuxi pointed out that Taiwan has been affected by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 viruses in the past week. Compared with mid-August, the moderate disease rate increased by 37%, the severe disease rate increased by 15%, and the mortality rate increased by nearly 29%. It deserves attention from all walks of life.
Among those over 65 years old, the moderate disease rate increased by 43%, the severe disease rate increased by 17%, and the mortality rate increased by 33%. Chen Xiuxi pointed out that elderly people have many chronic diseases, cancer, and lack of immunity, and should be given vaccine supplements as soon as possible.
Chen Xiuxi's team also analyzed the threat of "long new crown" (Long COVID), according to the definition of the World Health Organization, "long new crown" refers to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction within 3 months of infection, And for at least 2 months, it has an impact on daily life.
Chen Xiuxi pointed out that international research shows that the "long new crown" caused by the Omicron variant infection has dropped by about 74% to 90% compared with the epidemic period of the delta variant. However, relevant research is still limited and more evidence is still needed.
In addition, Chen Xiuxi pointed out that the administration of vaccine supplements and early drug treatment can not only reduce the occurrence of moderate and severe cases and deaths, but also have a protective effect on 's "long new crown" .
The US authorities authorized Pfizer's /BNT and Moderna's bivalent vaccines as booster shots The two new versions of the vaccines are both bivalent vaccines. In addition to targeting the original virus strains, they are also targeting the current mainstream Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 mutant virus strains.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that the Moderna bivalent vaccine is authorized for people 18 years of age or older, and the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is for those 12 years of age or older, who must complete the basal dose of the vaccine, or at the latest At least two months after a booster dose can be vaccinated.
Director Calif said that as enters the fall, people stay indoors for a longer time, and a new wave of infections may appear. Protection against currently circulating mutant virus strains.
The health department earlier ordered 105 million doses and 66 million doses of bivalent vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna respectively for use in autumn and winter. The new version of the vaccine is expected to be delivered as soon as next week. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will consider the bivalent vaccine next, and once approved, the injections can be started to the public.
Source丨Comprehensive
