Dangerous delta mutation spreads rapidly in Europe: warn Lithuania: quarantine may be inevitable



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Over the past few days, 17 cases of the delta variety have been recorded in six counties: eight in Vilnius, five in Utena, one each in Šiauliai, Panevėžys, Klaipėda and Alytus counties.

He defined the dangers of the delta variant.

Genomic epidemiologist Dr. Gytis Dudas stated on the radio news program “Question of the Day” that he could not bet whether the quarantine that ended on July 1 was the last.

“We really have a factor that helps us: vaccination, but we are seeing that it stops significantly. Let’s understand when everything depends on people, and then a huge factor of uncertainty arises. And if we go into the fall with current vaccination rates, the quarantine seems inevitable to me.

On the other hand, if people take care of themselves, decide to get vaccinated, we can avoid some restrictions in general. As a result, many things remain unclear, because practically everything depends on the people themselves, “said the epidemiologist.

Some people say they won’t ruin their summer vacation with vaccine problems. But then, according to the epidemiologist, you may have to face a new problem in the fall: there will simply be no vaccines, and the refrigerators will be empty.

“I would say yes, most of the most widely used vaccines in Lithuania are fully vaccinated, at least 3 weeks. The efficacy of a single dose vaccine to protect against the delta variant is not yet available. But looking at the results of others vaccines, I would not put too much hope on that. You just have to remember that these vaccines cannot stay in the refrigerator for long, “recalled G. Doubts.

Vilnius, quarantine, pandemic, man, people,

Vilnius, quarantine, pandemic, man, people,

© DELFI / Andrius Ufartas

The delta strain is spreading rapidly in Europe and is changing your vacation plans. On the radio news program “Question of the Day”, epidemiologist G. Dudas stated that the delta strain is twice as threatening as the alpha, the so-called British strain.

“If we look back on the past, it took 2 months for the alpha variant or the British variety to dominate in Lithuania. When it started traveling in January and February, it was quarantined in March. The whole wave that happened after early March was actually caused by the alpha variant.

And when it comes to the delta variant, it’s about 60 percent more contagious than the alpha. And the alpha itself was 60 percent more contagious than the original. This practically delta variant is twice as contagious as the original strain that jumped on humans. And the delta variant hospitalizes people twice as often as the alpha variant, which also hospitalizes more people than the original variant, ”said the epidemiologist about this variety.

Dud said that even seasonality in Europe does not reduce the number of cases.

“In this case, the threat of more efficient spread, higher levels of hospitalization, this challenge is enormous at the moment. And we see summer in Europe, when, due to seasonal circumstances, the transmission of the virus should be less, we see an increase in cases. And one more thing, the delta variant, unlike the alpha, can partially elude the immune response, if other strains relapse. This means that the probability of becoming infected increases if a person has been sick, vaccinated, “said G. Dudas on the news radio program.

He recalled that the researchers had very good evidence that both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines protect people from being hospitalized for about 96 percent of the coronavirus dose.

“These are people who go to hospitals with the delta variant, a large part of them will be the ones who will not receive the vaccine. And both doses of AstraZeneca or Pfizer protect about 80 percent of symptomatic infections, ”said the epidemiologist.

“The solution to this challenge is vaccination, it all depends on the people, what autumn will be like, what winter will be like,” explained epidemiologist G. Dudas.

Encourage voluntary isolation after the trip.

The epidemiologist urged those traveling abroad to self-quarantine themselves, even from less risky countries.

The epidemiologist G. Dudas agreed with the listener that there is a lack of clear communication and an incentive for vaccination against the coronavirus.

“It just came to my attention then. It seems to me that one of the current problems is who would accept to take responsibility for organizing such information campaigns. Because if they don’t work, your head falls off. Communication should be much more extensive. Maybe it is not inevitable to get caught in emotional cords, to ask people to tell their illnesses or deaths to themselves, relatives or acquaintances ”, said the epidemiologist.

G. Dudas urged not to forget the fact that not all Lithuanians can be vaccinated at this time.

Vilnius, quarantine, pandemic, man, people, outdoors, cafe, employee, waitress,

Vilnius, quarantine, pandemic, man, people, outdoors, cafe, employee, waitress,

© DELFI / Andrius Ufartas

There is also good news

Professor Dr. Aurelija Žvirblienė, Head of the Department of Immunology and Cell Biology at the Institute of Biotechnology at Vilnius University (VU), stated that she agrees with the statement of epidemiologist Daiva Razmuvienė that the delta variant will dominate in Europe in a few months. .

“It just came to our attention then. The same thing will happen to us now in the UK, only they have vaccinated a larger percentage of people. They see a growing number of infections, but it doesn’t correlate that strongly with the number of hospitalizations and that’s a good news, ”said A. Žvirblienė on the show.

He also gave advice: refrain from traveling this summer.

“We already have all the possible varieties in Lithuania. (…) All imported from abroad. Definitely my request and advice. Lithuania is such a beautiful country in summer. Why not enjoy the summer in Lithuania?” Said the teacher.

According to her, the delta strain of the coronavirus has a “fear” of vaccines, but is not as effective as other strains.

Vaccines for coronavirus

Vaccines for coronavirus

Why are GPs not included?

Head of the Family Medicine Clinic prof. Leonas Valius emphasized in the program that family doctors must now participate much more actively in the vaccination process.

“I said from the beginning that GPs should be involved in the vaccination process. It is very effective for older people, ”said L. Valius.

He said 9 out of 10 older adults arrive when called by a family doctor or clinic staff to get vaccinated.

However, he asked for exercise during the summer and safe travel.

“I don’t know if I will be popular or not. But I suggest taking advantage of that opportunity. The quarantine for so long has had a great impact. That is, if there is an opportunity, it should be used, just look at the infectivity map, “said the doctor on the show.

He said that Lithuania is still in the late search phase due to the mass vaccination process.

The doctor urged not to wait for the fall and to get vaccinated as soon as possible. L. Valius said on the show that he expects 70 percent of society to be vaccinated, but that the 60 percent limit is more realistically reached. Unless the vaccination process is changed.



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