2023-09-26 04:37:22
Title: Slight Increase in COVID-19 Cases Indicates Current Wave Coming to an End, Study Confirms Effectiveness of Antiviral Drugs
Date: September 25, 2023
Author: Clemens Haug
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has reported a slight increase in COVID-19 cases, signaling that the current wave may be nearing its end. Additionally, a new study has confirmed the effectiveness of the antiviral drugs molnupiravir and paxlovid in reducing fatal cases of the virus.
According to the RKI’s weekly report for respiratory infections, the number of newly confirmed COVID-19 infections in Germany rose slightly to around 7,800 cases in the week leading up to September 17th. However, the dynamics of new infections are showing signs of significant weakening. It’s important to note that the reported cases represent only a fraction of the actual infection rate, as COVID-19 testing is primarily conducted in hospitals and through the RKI random sampling system.
In an encouraging development, wastewater monitoring in 50 sewage treatment plants across Germany has shown a slower rise in viral loads compared to the previous week. In the 37th calendar week, only 40 percent of the monitored locations reported increasing viral loads, compared to the previous week’s 60 percent. However, the data available is still incomplete as many systems have not yet reported their values.
The RKI’s report also indicates that the Eris variant (EG.5) is the dominant virus strain in the current wave of infections in Germany, accounting for almost 32 percent of cases. The heavily mutated variant Priola (BA.2.86) has been detected only once in the country. Globally, the Eris variant has been found in isolated cases but has not reached widespread distribution.
A study conducted in the United States examined around 69,000 COVID-19 patients and found that the antiviral drugs molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir (a component of Paxlovid) significantly reduced the number of fatal cases, even with current subtypes of the omicron variant. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, evaluated the disease progression of high-risk individuals treated for COVID-19 at the Cleveland Clinic between June 2022 and February 2023.
Out of the 41,000 patients who did not receive either active ingredient, 1.4 percent died. Among the 5,300 patients treated with molnupiravir, only 27 deaths occurred, representing a proportion of 0.5 percent. Similarly, among the 22,500 patients treated with nirmatrelvir as part of Paxlovid, only 30 deaths occurred with a proportion of 0.13 percent. Both drugs significantly reduced the risk of dying from COVID-19 and the need for hospitalization.
As the number of new COVID-19 cases shows signs of stabilization, and the effectiveness of antiviral drugs is confirmed, there is hope that the current wave may be reaching its end. Continued monitoring and adherence to preventive measures will be crucial in further controlling the spread of the virus.
Sources:
– Robert Koch Institute (RKI)
– Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Network Open)
– University of North Carolina]
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