It is a matter of time before the Delta + mutation comes to Cyprus as well, estimates the epidemiologist Dr. Michalis Voniatis, who calls on the people to continue to be vaccinated so that we have the shield of protection against high vaccination coverage. At the same time, he reports that the incidence of influenza will increase this winter because the flu virus was not released at all last year and immunity fell in the population.
In his statements to KYPE, Dr. Voniatis stated that Delta + is a mutation, which we have known since June and which we can actually say can penetrate mainly into the unvaccinated populations and cause an outbreak of the pandemic.
This, of course, he notes, will depend on whether we increase our vaccine coverage faster because this mutation is covered by vaccines.
Asked, he said that Delta + did not come to Cyprus at the moment but it is a matter of time before it does. "We are just monitoring it and examining it both locally and those that are sent to the European Center for Disease Control and Transmission," he said.
However, the fact that Delta + has prevailed in England, he noted, is a matter of time to come to Cyprus as well. "There is free communication, air connection so it is a matter of time and therefore we have to be vigilant and watch because we do not yet know what the consequences will be although the UK and US are seeing a significant increase in cases," he said. "There has also been an increase in deaths in the UK and there is a question mark about the morbidity caused by Delta +," he added.
He pointed out that it is somewhat more contagious than Delta but not in a scary place. Already, he noted, Delta was quite contagious so it prevailed for a long time and did not allow any other mutation to proceed.
Coronavirus cases are expected to increase in winter
Dr. Voniatis said that in winter we will see an increase in coronavirus cases.
"At the moment we do not see a decrease in cases and this is not pleasant because if this trend continues, with our confinement indoors in the winter months we will see an increase and especially in the children who are most exposed at the moment. That is why our call is for parents to be vaccinated in order to protect their children as well. "And we are talking about children under the age of 12," he noted.
Influenza cases will be increased during the winter months
Dr. Voniatis also said that we will have increased cases of flu during the winter months.
"What worries us most about the flu is that the US has already seen a 2020% increase in flu cases from 23, which is a significant increase. We should watch this for Cyprus. "Everyone should be vaccinated against the flu, whether they belong to vulnerable groups or are elderly people because it is a good protection measure," he added.
He explained that the flu virus was not circulated at all last year, with the result that over time the immunity in the population drops and begins to circulate. In addition, in many countries, he said, personal protection measures have been relaxed, which helps transmit the flu virus.
"We will definitely have more respiratory infections from viruses, but we are more concerned about the flu, which is a serious disease that can even lead to pneumonitis and respiratory failure. Of course other respiratory infections from germs must be taken into account that they will be increased during the winter. "The other vaccine that is useful for people over the age of 65 and people who belong to vulnerable groups - and everything is always done on the advice of a personal doctor - is the pneumococcal vaccine," he said.
Asked, he said that last year we did not have any serious cases of flu. "The last time we had several deaths was from December 2018 to March 2019. We had a total of 19 deaths from influenza A and this was somewhat intense compared to many years which we had from zero to three deaths per year. I hope we do not have deaths this year. If we have high vaccination coverage this is prevented. "In 2018-2019 we did not have high vaccination coverage for the flu vaccine," he added.
The situation in schools with the coronavirus is worrying
Dr. Voniatis said that the phenomenon of having a sudden increase in cases in two schools is important.
"Where we had three to eight cases a day in all schools, we had this outbreak of over 40 cases in one day. This worries us but it is a matter of seeing how the situation develops. Only time will tell. That is why the only way to limit it is for both teachers and parents to be vaccinated. "It's the only safety net they can offer children."