In an interview with CNN, the infectologist from Hospital Emílio Ribas and member of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases, Rosana Richtmann, stated that the transmissibility of the Ômicron variant is like a “powder fuse”.
“I have never seen, in these two years of pandemic, such a large, expressive number of new cases, daily. Families and families: it starts with the son, tomorrow it’s the mother, the father, the brother. The transmission of this new variant is very fast”, exemplified the infectologist.
Rosana explained that, although the Ômicron variant induces milder cases of Covid-19, the high number of infections exposes people who are more susceptible to developing the disease in its severe form, such as children and those who are not vaccinated.
As the number of cases increased, so did the number of hospitalizations. According to data from the São Paulo Contingency Center Against Covid-19, the number of people hospitalized in ICU beds in the state increased by 58% in recent weeks.
The infectious disease specialist also said that the immunization of children is essential at this time when unvaccinated people represent the majority of hospitalizations.
According to Rosana, “the children respond very well to [à vacina]. In studies, the first dose you give a child, you practically already have a much greater protection than when we compare with us adults with a single dose”.
In addition to vaccination, the infectologist reinforces that “the mask remains the best barrier” against Covid.
* Under supervision of Rafaela Lara
Reference: CNN Brasil
