Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 09, 2024 3 months, 4 days, 23 hours, 26 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: A Concerning Surge Across Age Groups
Over the past ten weeks, Argentina has experienced a noticeable surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations across various age groups, highlighting the continuing impact of the virus in the country. The data, spanning from epidemiological weeks SE22/24 to SE31/24, reveals trends that are both alarming and indicative of the ongoing challenges faced by the healthcare system.
COVID-19 hospitalizations rising in Argentina, children most affected
Pediatric Hospitalizations on the Rise
One of the most concerning aspects of the recent data is the significant number of pediatric hospitalizations. A total of 213 children aged 0 to 17 years were hospitalized due to COVID-19 during this period, representing a rate of 1.74 hospitalizations per 100,000 inhabitants. Particularly alarming is the rate among infants under one year of age, where 103 hospitalizations were recorded, equating to a staggering 21.02 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Once again strangely, the local mainstream media in the country are not covering any
COVID-19 News reports of the COVID-19 situation developing in the country.
This high rate among the youngest population suggests that despite earlier beliefs that children were less susceptible to severe forms of the virus, COVID-19 continues to pose a serious threat to this vulnerable group. The situation calls for increased vigilance and possibly targeted interventions to protect infants and young children from the virus.
No one is able to determine what SARS-CoV-2 variants are driving the surge in Argentina as there is extremely low or non-existent genomic surveillance in the country.
https://cov-spectrum.org/explore/Argentina/AllSamples/Past6M/sequencing-coverage
Adult and Elderly Hospitalizations: A Diverse Impact
The data for adults and elderly individuals shows a more varied impact, with 207 hospitalizations recorded for those aged 18 years and above, translating to 0.61 hospitalizations per 100,000 inhabitants. When broken down further, 59 of these cases were among those aged 18 to 49 years (0.27 hospitalizations per 100,000), and 148 cases were recorded in individuals aged 50 and above (1.22 hospitalizations per 100,000).
Elderly individuals, especially those over 80 years old, also faced significant risks, with 47 hospitalizations in this age group, which amounts to 3.73 hospitalizations per 100,000 inhabitants. This data underscores the continued vulnerability of older populations to COVID-19, even as the pandemic progresses.
Recent Weekly Report: A Worrying Trend
In the last week of data collection (SE31/24), Argentina recorded 113 new cases of COVID-19, of which 54 required hospitalizations. This represents an increase of 8 hospitalizations compared to the previous week, indicating a potential upward trend in severe cases.
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The breakdown of these 54 hospitalizations shows the following distribution:
-13 hospitalizations involved children under one year of age, an increase of 3 from the previous week.
-9 hospitalizations were in the age group of 1 to 9 years, a decrease of 2 from the previous week.
-6 hospitalizations were among individuals aged 10 to 49 years, also a decrease of 2.
-9 hospitalizations were in the 50 to 69 years age group, an increase of 6.
17 hospitalizations were recorded in those over 70 years of age, an increase of 3 from the previous week.
Deaths: A Grim Reminder
The report also highlights the tragic loss of life due to COVID-19. In the same week, 9 deaths were reported, 8 of which were recorded in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA), with 7 being delayed reports. Notably, among the deceased were 3 children under 2 years of age who succumbed to the virus on 11th February, 14th May, and 30th July 2024.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
The recent data from Argentina serves as a stark reminder that COVID-19 remains a formidable challenge. The rise in hospitalizations, particularly among infants and the elderly, underscores the need for continued vigilance and targeted public health measures.
As Argentina navigates through these troubling times, the healthcare system's ability to respond to these surges will be critical in preventing further loss of life and mitigating the impact of the virus. The country must stay informed and prepared, with the latest updates and strategies to combat this persistent threat.
For more detailed and up-to-date information, please refer to the latest studies and reports published in peer-reviewed journals and stay informed and vigilant by following the COVID-19 News updates on Thailand Medical News.
Data Sources:
https://jorgealiaga.com.ar/?page_id=2185
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1820205097239949416.html
https://x.com/CoronavirusArgg/status/1820195145880310239
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/south-korea-sees-sixfold-surge-in-covid-19-hospitalizations-amid-summer-resurgence
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-parts-of-china-witnessing-a-covid-19-resurgence-driven-by-a-new-recombinant-delta-and-omicron-variant-xdv-1
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