by PANDEMIC
Pandemic reaches three years with controlled scenario
Although still present, the disease does not present significant serious cases in the city
Photo: Alcir Aglio
Daniel Xavier – intern
After 95,322 confirmed cases and 1,756 deaths registered, according to the Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS), Petrópolis reaches the milestone of three years since the covid-19 pandemic (decreed on March 11, 2020 by the WHO) in an epidemiological scenario considered as endemic – that is, the disease is still present, however, without a significant number of infections and deaths.
According to José Henrique de Cunto, an active and recognized infectologist in the municipality, this positive and regularized scope of the virus is a clear result of the wide vaccination coverage. “It is an undeniable result. What many don’t understand is that the immunizer does not prevent covid, but rather, it stimulates the immune system, producing antibodies that will protect you from the disease the moment you come into contact. That is why, recently, most coronavirus infections have been asymptomatic, ”he explains. Until last Tuesday (14), Petrópolis had the following immunization status: 1st dose – 88.92% (271,252 citizens); 2nd dose – 86.23% (263,052); 3rd dose – 56.42% (172,115); and 4th dose – 28.11% (85,754). Information is from SMS.
Despite this, the infectologist points out that, despite being controlled, covid is still a serious public health issue. “Currently, the virus has become part of the set of respiratory diseases, manifesting itself mainly as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). These, in turn, are lung inflammations that compromise respiratory function and lead to hospitalization in most episodes, which can lead to a lethal condition. However, studies prove that the disease has only presented itself this way in unvaccinated people, for the most part”, he emphasizes.
educational gain
De Cunto also ensures that due to the health restrictions imposed during the most critical moment of the pandemic, the population ended up absorbing prevention policies into their daily lives, which in his view is characterized as an “educational gain”. “Wear a mask when sick, use gel alcohol after contact with someone or some shared object, and social distancing in cases of infection. All attitudes previously strange to people, which have now become collective consciousness. No wonder, in the last two to three years, the cases of respiratory or viral diseases had a significant reduction”, he points out.
pandemic fatigue
However, the infectologist clarifies that the so-called “pandemic fatigue”, which characterizes tiredness and lack of interest in the subject, has had a negative effect on adherence to booster vaccination, mainly. “We are exhausted. Being deprived of going out, partying, or even living fully has exhausted everyone. And, after three years living with the feeling of constant danger, in addition to being bombarded by alarming news on a daily basis regarding the virus, it is understandable that, in the face of a more favorable epidemiological scenario, people act in a more relaxed and carefree way”, he comments. . “However, I reinforce that vaccination is essential to maintain this scenario, and, by the way, the side effects of the vaccine are smaller than the manifestations of the diseases”, he adds.
Variants
With the various mutations suffered over the last three years, with emphasis on the Ômicron variant, and the provocation of several waves of infection, the coronavirus remains stable and controlled so far, thanks to updated immunizers capable of protecting against the main strains . Despite this, the future is uncertain, due to the possibility of new, more contagious and fatal strains being developed.
Despite this, José Henrique de Cunto states that, most likely, the epidemiological scenario should continue more smoothly, as it currently stands. “In those immunized, either by vaccines or previous infections, the coronavirus has faced barriers to spread. With this, it has adapted in the form of variants with greater transmissibility. However, not with higher mortality. So, what can be deduced is that this configuration should remain. However, despite the constant updates of applications and studies, we do not know what the future holds. Or even if there will be an ultimate end. Possibly, we will live with the virus as we do now, with recurrent annual vaccination campaigns ”, he deduces.
