Lebanon is witnessing a new wave of the Corona virus, which has returned to spread globally after the new mutant overcame the previously acquired immunity. Rizk Hospital has circulated to workers in all departments to take health preventive measures and to wear a face mask, after the increasing number of coronavirus infections in the hospital. An audio recording of an official in the hospital spread, indicating that Lebanon and the world are witnessing a rapid spread and an increase in the number of injuries, about four times higher than previously, and there are 17 positive cases in the hospital. Hospital sources confirmed the authenticity and content of the recording, but there are no additional concerns.
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Health Minister Firas Al-Abyad confirmed to Al-Modon that he is following the situation, the number of cases, the percentage of positive tests, and the rate of admissions of patients to hospitals in Lebanon. He stated that the Ministry of Health had circulated a few days ago that some media outlets were circulating inaccurate and exaggerated news about a new wave of coronavirus in Lebanon, pointing out that Lebanon has recently witnessed an increase in cases that coincided with the tourist season and an increase in the number of arrivals to the country. However, most of the recorded cases were mild cases that did not suffer from complications and did not require hospitalization. The rates of occupancy of hospital beds and deaths resulting from the disease are low, (the rate of use of Covid beds in hospitals is 5 percent, and the death rate for the last 14 days is 0.4 per 100,000 people). Al-Abyadh recalled that the head of the epidemiological surveillance program at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Nada Ghosn, stated that the ministry is conducting genetic tests continuously to identify corona mutants present in Lebanon, at the National Influenza Center at Rafic Hariri University Hospital. So far, these tests have not shown the presence of the EG5 mutant known as “Iris”.
Abyad confirmed that the results of genetic tests are expected to be released next week. He is following the situation abroad and with the World Health Organization. There is readiness and close follow-up in surveillance, and public opinion will be aware of anything new.
The Ministry of Health advises citizens to adopt preventive methods against disease, especially the etiquette of coughing and sneezing, washing hands, and using a mask when necessary, especially for the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases.
No health risks from the new variant
Director of the Bacterial Diseases Research Center at the American University of Beirut, and a member of the Global Advisory Committee for the Safety and Development of Vaccines at the World Health Organization (a global committee consisting of ten people to evaluate modern vaccines and give an opinion on them). what it used to be. The majority of society has become immunized, whether with vaccines or previous infections, and there is now a problem of immunity. But people who suffer from weak immunity or have certain health problems, if they are infected with any virus other than Corona, they will have health problems. As for Corona, and because it is spreading rapidly, the risks increase for this group of society.
Dabibo explained that the world is witnessing the spread of the new mutant EG.5, which is one of the strains of the Omicron mutant, which has dominated globally in the past two years. This mutant has succeeded in overcoming community immunity and is now spreading very quickly, not only in Lebanon, but also in the world. What contributed to its spread in Lebanon was the influx of large numbers of tourists and the return of life to normal at the level of mixing and the restoration of traditional activities.
He added that this mutant is distinguished from these previous strains in that it contains many mutations that enabled it to overcome the previously formed immunity, whether with a vaccine or infection with corona. This is the nature of viruses in general, in that they mutate in order to keep reproducing by evading the immune system.
Dabibo pointed out that this new mutant does not differ clinically from any of the Omicron strains at the level of health symptoms. Like other mutants, it causes pain in the body, throat, head, fever, runny nose, and coughing. In children, vomiting and diarrhea. However, the health symptoms of people previously vaccinated with the vaccine or infection are mild, normal and limited. While people who are not immunized or the elderly and those who suffer from health problems, their symptoms are strong, and they may require admission to the hospital.
2023-08-19 07:15:21
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