COVID-19 Positivity Rates in Puerto Rico Hits 40.61% While It Is 49.25% in Arecibo Region
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 01, 2024 5 months, 3 weeks, 1 day, 2 hours, 17 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: Puerto Rico is experiencing a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, with the positivity rate surpassing 40% in recent days. This alarming rise is also reflected in the increasing number of daily new cases and hospitalizations.
COVID-19 Positivity Rates in Puerto Rico Hits 40.61% While It Is
49.25% in Arecibo Region!
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According to the Department of Health in Puerto Rico, these concerning figures are reminiscent of the early days of the pandemic in 2020.
Rising Hospitalizations and Fatalities
The Department of Health's latest data reveals a troubling picture. There are currently 184 adults and 49 pediatric cases hospitalized due to COVID-19 just in the last 24 hours.
Additionally, the virus has claimed ten lives in the past 24 hours alone. Dr Melissa Marzán, the chief health epidemiologist in Puerto Rico, confirmed this uptick to various local
COVID-19 News media, noting a dramatic increase from 200 to 1,500 daily cases over the past four weeks. It's worth noting that these statistics are based solely on molecular tests, which currently number around 500 daily, compared to the peak of 15,000 tests during the height of the pandemic.
https://www.periodicolaperla.com/salud/el-covid-19-sigue-cobrando-vidas-en-puerto-rico/
https://www.univision.com/local/puerto-rico-wlii/puerto-rico-registra-aumento-en-casos-de-covid-19-cifras-2020-kp-2-sintomas-recomendaciones-medicamentos
https://cepur.info/2024/06/29/covid-19-repunte-de-verano-2024/
The KP.2 Variant: A New Threat
Experts attribute the surge in cases to the KP.2 variant, which has been circulating in the United States since May and has now made its way to Puerto Rico.
Epidemiologist Dr Abdel Rodríguez Rivera likened the symptoms of this variant to a common cold, suggesting that while more people are getting infected, the severity of the symptoms has not increased significantly.
The ignorant doctor however did not talk about Long COVID or about long-term health problems that people could face from just being exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus irrespective of disease severity.
Linda Ayala Bousson, the executive director of the Community Pharmacy Association, noted a rise in people visiting pharmacies to seek prescriptions for COVID-19 treatment.
Self-Care and Prevent
ative Measures
Amid the rising cases, the general recommendations for self-care remain consistent. Individuals are advised to wear masks if they suspect they are infected and to practice good hand hygiene. Older adults and those with weakened immune systems should avoid crowded places with poor ventilation to minimize the risk of infection.
Regional Disparities in Positivity Rates
The recent Epidemic Indicators Report from the Department of Health, covering June 9 to 15, highlights significant regional disparities in positivity rates. The overall positivity rate for Puerto Rico was 40.61%, with the Arecibo region recording the highest rate at 49.25%. In contrast, the Caguas region reported the lowest positivity rate at 34.75%.
Age and Infection Rates
The age group most affected by the current surge is those aged 70-79, with a rate of 279.09 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Conversely, the age group with the lowest reported case rate is 10-19 years old, with 89.03 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. These figures underscore the particular vulnerability of older adults to the virus.
Outbreak Classifications
Outbreaks across Puerto Rico have been classified based on their origin. A total of 226 outbreaks were categorized as family-related (83.1%), 23 as occupational (8.4%), three as educational institutions (1.1%), five as related to travel (1.8%), 14 as community-related (5.1%), and one as pending investigation (0.36%).
Increasing Trend in Hospitalizations
As of June 15, the trend in hospitalizations continues to rise, with 135 individuals currently hospitalized. The number of patients in intensive care has also increased to 18, compared to the previous week. This upward trend highlights the ongoing burden on the healthcare system.
https://covid19datos.salud.gov.pr/
Conclusion
The resurgence of COVID-19 in Puerto Rico, driven by the KP.2 variant, presents a stark reminder of the virus's persistence. With positivity rates exceeding 40% and significant regional disparities, the need for continued vigilance and adherence to preventative measures is paramount. The data underscores the importance of protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring the healthcare system can manage the increasing number of cases. As Puerto Rico navigates this latest wave of infections, the collective efforts of individuals, healthcare providers, and public health officials will be crucial in mitigating the impact of the virus.
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COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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