COVID-19 News: JN.1 Variant Drives Infections Up By 38 Percent In Argentina. 8,072 New Cases And 15 Deaths In The Last Week
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 29, 2024 2 months, 4 weeks, 1 day, 7 hours, 40 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: In a concerning development, Argentina has witnessed a substantial surge in COVID-19 cases, with a 38% increase reported in the past week alone. A total of 8,072 new cases were registered, accompanied by 15 reported deaths in the same timeframe.
https://twitter.com/CoronavirusArgg/status/1751709782187053258
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JN.1 Variant Drives Infections Up By 38 Percent In Argentina
Global Context: JN.1 Subvariant Sparks a New Wave
As the global battle against the pandemic continues, the JN.1 subvariant has emerged as a significant driver of the recent wave, not only impacting Argentina but contributing to a new surge worldwide. This sub-lineage, along with seasonal respiratory viruses like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, has led to a marked rise in hospitalizations.
Data Analysis: Understanding the Escalation in Cases
Local Argentinian researcher Dr Jorge Aliaga explained, "What we are seeing in the country is a weekly increase in infections since late 2023." The data reveals a steady climb from 70 average daily cases to the present shocking number of cases, indicating a concerning upward trend across various regions in Argentina.
While testing has decreased, Aliaga emphasized that the rising infection curve suggests an escalation in the spread of the virus. In terms of fatalities, 20 deaths were recorded in the first three weeks of January 2024, with 15 occurring in the third week alone, underscoring the severity of the situation.
https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/covid-19-en-argentina-se-experimento-un-gran-aumento-de-casos-alcanzando-una-sextuplicacion-desde-el-comienzo-de-ano-2024122112235
Healthcare Impact: Rise in Infections And Admissions.
Healthcare centers have reported an increase in COVID-19 cases, with hospitals like Rivadavia in Buenos Aires and El Cruce in Florencio Varela observing a huge increase in both hospital admissions and outpatients.
Variant Analysis: JN.1 and the Global Landscape
Dr Aliaga attributes the current increase to the introduction of the JN.1 subvariant into the country, aligning with similar trends observed globally with the emergence of new variants.
As of January 17, the National Epidemiological Bulletin reported numerous infections with the JN.1 subvariant, distributed across various regions in Argentina. Dr Daniela Hozbor, a Conicet researcher, explained that the JN.1 is a subvariant of Omicron BA.2.86, known for its increased transmissibility and immune escape capabilities.
Global Warning: WHO Alerts on Rising Cases and Admissions
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified JN.1 as the dominant global variant, representing over 70% of sequenced Covid infections. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted a surge in deaths, hospitalizati
ons, and ICU admissions globally, emphasizing the severity of the current situation.
Several European countries and the United States have reinstated mask mandates in response to the rising cases. The WHO European Respiratory Surveillance Network revealed that vaccines have played a crucial role, reducing deaths by 57%, saving approximately 1.4 million lives in individuals over 25 years of age.
Vaccination Efforts: Argentina's Progress and Recommendations
In Argentina, vaccination efforts have reached a coverage of 93.6% for the first dose, with a focus on boosting immunization, especially in high-risk groups. The current vaccines, such as Spikevax and Comirnaty, have demonstrated efficacy against the JN.1 subvariant, offering protection against severe illness and death.
However, with the increasing cases, authorities are urging the public to adhere to preventive measures, review vaccination schedules, and consider booster shots.
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/el-ministerio-de-salud-recomienda-reforzar-la-vacunacion-contra-covid-19
The Ministry of Health reported a significant uptick in booster doses administered in response to the heightened risk perception.
Pediatric Hospital Impact: Garrahan Reports 87 Cases in 2024
In a separate development, local
COVID-19 News coverages are reporting that Garrahan pediatric hospital in Buenos Aires has witnessed 87 confirmed cases of pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations in the first half of the year. The hospital stressed the importance of vaccination and preventive measures to curb the spread, aligning with the global trend of increased cases since August 2023.
https://diario.cemba.com.ar/hospital-garrahan-confirman-87-casos-de-covid-en-lo-que-va-de-2024/
Guidelines for Future Action: Vaccination Strategies and Preventive Measures
Vaccination guidelines in Argentina recommend bivariate vaccines, incorporating antigens from both the original strain and the Omicron variant. Boosters are advised based on age and risk factors, with a minimum interval of 4 months between doses. To reduce transmission, general hygiene practices such as proper ventilation, frequent handwashing, and mask usage are emphasized.
As the world grapples with the evolving landscape of the pandemic, vigilance, vaccination, and adherence to preventive measures remain crucial in the ongoing battle against COVID-19.
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COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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