2023-10-31 16:00:00
COVID-19 Outbreak Continues Despite Pandemic Decline, Omicron EG.5 Strain Becomes Dominant
In a surprising turn of events, countries around the world are experiencing a resurgence in respiratory diseases, particularly influenza and COVID-19. Despite the decline in overall COVID-19 cases, there is a concerning trend of patients in serious condition and increasing deaths, with the Omicron EG.5 strain emerging as the main variant.
Thailand, in particular, has observed a slight increase in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the past week. Furthermore, the proportion of the Omicron EG.5 strain has been steadily rising. However, it is important to note that there are now more developed treatment drugs and vaccines available to combat the severe effects of the virus.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been a staggering 771 million cumulative cases and 6.9 million deaths worldwide. The majority of these cases are concentrated in America and Europe. As Thailand opens up to more tourists, there is a valid concern that COVID-19 may resurface, especially considering the widespread prevalence of the Omicron EG.5 strain globally.
In addition to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, there is an alarming increase in influenza cases. Since the start of the year until September 16, 2023, there have been 185,216 influenza patients reported, with a case fatality rate of 0.002 percent. The number of patients for the week of September 10-16 alone surpasses the figures from the same period in 2022 and the average of the past five years.
During the 2023 Annual Joint Academic Conference organized by Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS), Dr. Chakrarat, M.D., Phitthayawong Anon, Director of the Epidemiology Division, Department of Disease Control, emphasized the gravity of the situation. He highlighted the trend of finding patients in serious condition and the increasing number of deaths in various countries. The upcoming festival period from November to December is expected to exacerbate the outbreak, with the Omicron EG.5 strain dominating worldwide.
Regarding the COVID-19 situation in Thailand, newly hospitalized patients are expected to rise slightly. The majority of deaths have been among the unvaccinated or those who have not received the annual booster injection. The proportion of the Omicron EG.5 strain continues to increase, albeit without signs of severe illness.
Looking towards the future, it is crucial to monitor the situation of respiratory infectious diseases. The year 2023 has seen outbreaks of both COVID-19 and influenza at different times. The public is strongly advised to wear masks, especially in close proximity to groups at higher risk, and to receive the annual COVID-19 vaccination.
Healthcare facilities must also prepare by ensuring sufficient equipment, medicine, and beds to accommodate patients during outbreaks. Timely disease reporting, particularly for COVID-19, is essential to monitor outbreak trends and implement effective disease control and prevention measures.
Dr. Weerawat Manosutthi, Deputy Director of the Medical Practice Group at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, disclosed the current and upcoming treatments for COVID-19. Currently, drugs like Nirmatrevir, Remdesivir, and Molnupiravir are being used, with four new anti-COVID drugs, including an oral version of Remdesivir, in the pipeline.
Highlighting the importance of vaccines, Dr. Theeraphong Tantawichian, an infectious diseases physician from Chulalongkorn University, stated that humans have three ways to combat major outbreaks: delaying time through mask-wearing and social distancing, utilizing medication, and administering vaccines. While medicine and vaccines have been improving, future outbreaks may require stronger countermeasures.
“Vaccinations are responsible for slowing down the disease and reducing the death rate. We have seen a decrease in seriously ill individuals as a result of vaccination. One injection cannot compete with two injections, and two injections cannot compete with three. However, at least three injections must be given to ensure better protection. In 2020, the vaccine prevented 20 million deaths. People in Asia received the vaccine better than Europe, the United States, and Thailand have high vaccination rates, but there is still room for improvement.”
In conclusion, it is evident that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, with a surge in respiratory diseases complicating the situation. The Omicron EG.5 strain is becoming the dominant variant worldwide, contributing to an increase in serious cases and deaths. Despite the availability of treatments and vaccines, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and continue adhering to preventive measures to minimize the impact of these outbreaks.
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