Cases in Puerto Rico have increased in the last two weeks, since the federal government ended the national emergency of the pandemic in the United States and its territories.
According to data from the Department of Health, the position on the island level was 23.8% on Thursday. Two weeks ago, the positivity was 19.67%.
Until Thursday, the daily record was 979 unique cases with an average of 1,166 molecular tests per day. In fact, positivity exceeded 20% in confirmatory laboratory tests, since at least 16 May and more than 10% was already considered high transmission.
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“We are at a different stage of the pandemic, without a doubt. But we must remember that, even if the declaration requirement is no longer in effect, it does not mean that the COVID has gone out.advised Dr. Marcos López Casillas, research manager of the Public Health Trust.
Even the Professor of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico in Humacao warned that the data indicated that the virus is still active and changing as always.
As of Thursday, 148 adults were hospitalized for COVID-19, 12 of whom were in intensive care. At the pediatric level, 19 minor viruses were detained; no intensive
“It was to be expected by removing the restrictions. It passed (in the rise in cases) and it happened again”, commented Dr. Ángeles Rodríguez, a former State epidemiologist.
According to the infectologist, the increase in cases was seen more at the outpatient level, not at the hospital treatment. However, he warned that as infections increase, there will eventually be more hospitalizations and deaths.
“There does not seem to be a more severe relationship in this translation, but omicron variants (see COVID-19) do not explain a good response (to existing treatments)”he held
That is why he said that there are people who are infected with the virus before they are infected again and anyone else who could be infected with this disease for the first time.
“Restrictions have been removed for influxes. There is no use of masks or more distance. But people must understand that there is a need, but not a pandemic,” he emphasized.
Rodríguez urged people with suspected symptoms of HIV to try to avoid infecting others, especially vulnerable people, such as older adults, with comorbidities or with two or more diseases.
For the most part, Rodríguez said, symptoms include mild catarrhal manifestations and nasal congestion, sometimes with high fever.
Ilia’s lawyer of Toleti, Lord Toletanus de Laboratorio, agreed with the increase, and saw that the trials were being conducted there. Although the volume of tests has gone down, the percentage of positivity has gone up. He says we are 26%.
Every day, he warned, in this laboratory some 200 to 300 tests are carried out, when at the peak of the transmission of the virus on the island they did about 3,000 a day. He also recognized the growth of tests with positive results.
“We don’t know if there are people who take the test at home and want to confirm (after a positive test) when (through the test), but they seem to be. Or to be asked to work he said.
Alba Rivera, former president of the Clinical Laboratory Association, also highlighted the increase in virus testing. The census has fallen, but in the last two weeks we have several positive cases. “We see,” he said, “the chance to grow.”
Rivera acknowledged that many do not reach laboratories because of the availability of home tests. However, he agrees with that Toletano, when the tests at home are positive, then it is necessary to go to the factory to confirm the effect.
In the event, he said, for every five HIV-19 tests, there are three that come back positive. In addition, he said, there are many cases of influenza.
Gerardo Tosca, president of the Puerto Rican Pediatric Society, also made several diagnoses of COVID-19 in his role. “I see more, in all ages,” he commented many come with conjunctivitis, a symptom not seen with other forms of the virus.
He warned that it is important to corroborate the diagnosis with laboratory tests. It shows that many have let their guard down and are more susceptible to infection.
In the meantime, the Department of Health continues to report on social networks that the centers are still conducting follow-up tests. On Friday they will perform tests in the neighborhood of Palmas (Arroyo) and in the Casa Grande Museum (Mayagüez).
