Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 20, 2024 6 months, 3 weeks, 1 day, 20 hours, 37 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: Spain is facing a new wave of COVID-19 infections, with hospitals and healthcare clinics across the country starting to feel the pressure. According to the latest data from the Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System, released by the Carlos III Health Institute, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have quadrupled in just two weeks. This increase is predominantly affecting individuals aged 65 to 79, highlighting a growing concern for the country's elderly population.
Spain Witnessing A Rise In COVID-19 Hospitalizations Driven By KP Variants
Madrid and Other Regions See a Spike
In regions like Madrid, the situation is particularly alarming. Infections among patients aged 60 and over have surged by 60%. This new outbreak is contributing to a broader rise in the incidence of respiratory infections across Spain, with cases climbing from 400 to 477 per 100,000 inhabitants. In Madrid alone, the incidence rate has jumped by 56.4% to reach 445 cases per 100,000 people.
Hospitalization Rates on the Rise
According to local
COVID-19 News coverages, the general hospitalization rate for COVID-19 in Spain has increased significantly. Over the past two weeks, it has tripled from 0.3 to 1.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
For those aged 65 to 79, the situation is even more dire, with reports indicating a fivefold increase in hospitalizations. Although these numbers are within normalized records, they point to a troubling resurgence of the disease following the winter period.
https://bilbaohiria.com/en/bizkaia/el-repunte-covid-es-la-variante-omicron/
The KP Variant's Role
This surge in hospitalizations and infections is believed to be driven by the spread of new SARS-CoV-2 sub-lineages, particularly the KP variants which include KP.1, KP.1.1, KP.1.1.1, KP.2 and KP.3
It is believed that the KP.3 variant is the key variant driving hospitalizations in Spain at the moment.
https://cov-spectrum.org/explore/Spain/AllSamples/Past6M
All the KP variants are believed to be more transmissible and immune evasive based on analysis of the new mutations found on them. The KP.3 variant is even more worrisome as some speculate that there is no immune protection conferred on by the current vaccines or even by previous infections even by the earlier JN.1 strains!
Hybrid Protection Wanes
The spread of these variants is compounded by the waning of hybrid protection - immunity gained from both vaccination and previous infection—and the relaxation of preventive measures post-winter. Experts caution that while it is premature to draw definitive conclusions, the rising COVID-19 indicators are certainly a cause for concern.
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Rising Positivity Rates
The positivity rate for COVID-19 detection and incidence in Spain has also surged, tripling over the last week. This sharp rise in infections and hospitalizations clearly signals a deteriorating epidemiological situation. The increased spread of the virus is largely attributed to the advancement of the KP sub-lineages and the diminished effectiveness of current hybrid immunity.
The Push for Updated Vaccines
Since the start of the respiratory infection season in Spain, the dominant Sars-Cov-2 variant has been Omicron BA.2.86. This variant has given rise to a complex array of lineages and sub-lineages, such as JN.1, which have gained prominence in recent months. In response, the WHO has urged pharmaceutical companies to adapt their vaccines to better address these new variants, emphasizing the need for updated vaccines to combat the evolving virus.
Recommendations and Precautions
The recent rise in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations underscores the critical need for ongoing surveillance of virus variants and the maintenance of appropriate preventive measures. The KP variants and its sub-lineages present a continuing public health challenge, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly.
Importance of Continued Preventive Efforts
Health authorities and the general population must remain vigilant. Preventive methods such as masking and social distancing continues to be a vital tool in the fight against COVID-19, and updating antivirals to cover new variants is essential.
Additionally, adhering to clean air strategies and proper ventilation for schools, offices, hospitals, malls and all other public places is a must.
Conclusion
Spain is currently witnessing a worrying resurgence of COVID-19, with hospitalizations and infection rates climbing rapidly. The advance of Omicron sub-lineages, coupled with reduced hybrid immunity and relaxed preventive measures, is driving this surge. It is imperative for both health authorities and the public to stay vigilant and uphold preventive practices to manage and mitigate the impact of this new wave.
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COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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