Covid-19 returns to Albania as well/ 30% of cases are positive

2024-01-09 07:42:34, Shëndeti CNA

This beginning of the year, the cases of Covid-19 infections have also returned in Albania, as is happening in neighboring European countries, such as Italy and Greece.

Managers of medical laboratories claim that the cases of confirmed Covid-19 sufferers have increased after swabbing.

According to the administrator of the largest network of laboratories in the country, "Intermedica", Vasil Llajo, the positive cases confirmed after performing the tampon reach up to 30%. Llajo claimed for "Monitor" that there is a return of cases with Covid-19 and the number of those affected is the same as the infections of the period June-July 2022.

In this period, the family doctors claimed that out of 3 people who performed swab testing, 1 of them was found to be infected. According to them, in the months of June-July 2022, the increase in cases came as a result of the non-implementation of measures since the gathering of individuals on beaches, restaurants and bars, as well as the non-use of masks in closed premises.

"The flow of individuals who commit tampons is high. Even the positivity of confirmed cases with Covid-19 is high, reaching up to 30%. So in 100 people who perform the tampon, 30 of them are positive with Covid-19.

The increase in cases of Covid-19 is also accompanied by an increase in cases affected by Influenza A and the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) virus that causes bronchitis in young children under the age of 3 years, Llajo asserts.

Doctor Vasil Llajo underlines that there is no place for panic, as subvariants of the Omicron virus BA 4 and BA 5 are currently circulating where among the main symptoms that appear in those affected are lightning, not high temperature ranging from 37.5 to 38 degrees, otherwise from the flu condition where the temperature reaches up to 39 degrees, which is accompanied by muscle pain and headache.

"The clinical severity of the virus is lighter than during the pandemic period. But unlike the pandemic, we currently find that all age groups of the population, including children, are being affected by Covid-19. Citizens should not neglect hygiene measures.

Although there is still no special instruction from the institutions, I recommend that for individuals who have shown symptoms of Covid-19, it is necessary to wear a mask, in order not to infect others in this period when they have resumed learning in schools and kindergartens."

According to him, those affected by Covid-19 are persons vaccinated with up to 3 doses, as well as individuals who have previously been confirmed with Covid-19 2 or 3 times.

Albania launched the anti-Covid-19 vaccination campaign on January 11, 2021. According to the data of the Ministry of Health, until May 26, 2023, a total of 3,072,710 vaccinations were carried out. Accordingly, 1,331,723 first doses, 1,279,886 second doses and 403,783 third doses were performed.

PIH experts: The most severe symptoms are being created by the circulation of the influenza A virus

Experts from the Institute of Public Health claimed that the country is passing the peak phase of seasonal influenza A/H1 which is normal in this period. Combined with Covid-19 and other types of flu, it has brought overcrowding in hospitals and is creating high mortality in the elderly.

Family doctors claimed that recently a high mortality has been observed in the elderly over 80 years old who suffered from other chronic diseases. This season's viruses are looking tougher than last year's at this time. The most common symptoms are high temperature combined with bone pain, sore throat, diarrhea and vomiting.

Doctors say that subvariants of Covid-19 are also circulating, but its symptoms are often milder than seasonal flu. Doctors suggest that the elderly should be more careful, avoid gatherings and wear masks.

Public Health experts said that the most serious symptoms are being created by the circulation of the influenza A virus, which has reached the proportions of a pandemic. There are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C, and D. Influenza A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics of disease in humans (known as the flu season) almost every winter.

Influenza A viruses are the only influenza viruses known to cause influenza pandemics (ie, global epidemics of influenza disease). A pandemic can occur when a new and different type A influenza virus that infects humans appears, has the ability to spread efficiently among people who have little or no immunity. Influenza C virus infections generally cause mild illness and are not thought to cause human epidemics. Influenza D viruses mainly affect cattle with spread to other animals, but are not known to infect humans to cause disease.

So far, 130 combinations of influenza A subtype have been identified, mainly from wild birds. Subtype viruses have a propensity for "rearrangement," a process that occurs when two flu viruses infect a person at the same time and exchange genetic information. Current subtypes of influenza A viruses that routinely circulate in humans include A(H1N1) and A(H3N2).

Doctors at the Clinic of Lung Diseases in Tirana recommend avoiding crowding, drinking fluids and staying in warm and ventilated areas. Doctors do not suggest the use of antibiotics in the early stages. Only after five or 6 days of fever is a more in-depth check-up recommended, which determines whether or not medical treatment is needed.

Covid-19 also returns to Greece and Italy

In recent weeks, the spread of Covod-19 infections has also been confirmed in neighboring countries such as Italy and Greece, where many citizens in public places, such as buses or subways, have started wearing masks after awareness campaigns launched by public institutions.

In the latest weekly bulletin published by the Ministry of Health of Italy (week of December 28 to January 3) new cases of positivity to the virus are actually 38,737 (were 40,990, -5.5%)

A return of cases has also been noted in Greece, where according to local media referring to the Weekly Report of the Epidemiological Surveillance of Respiratory Infections of EODY, there was a significant increase in cases of coronavirus from December 25 to December 31, 2023. The number of hospitalized has increased by 44%, while the number of intubated patients has also increased, reaching 70. Also, 57 people have died from complications of Covid-19./ Monitor.al