It is Beatrix Oroszi, director of the Center for Epidemiology and Surveillance at Semmelweis University in InfoRádió’s Aréna program said that the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) determines the current epidemiological situation. As was visible in the previous two years, the trend that is also evident this year is that the coronavirus epidemic starts at the end of summer, around August-September. Therefore, the coronavirus and the flu do not appear at the same time – the latter is expected to start spreading in large numbers only at the beginning of next year.
The new coronavirus epidemic is in full swing.
Now the XEC variant of the coronavirus is dominant. This is characterized by the fact that it is highly contagious, spreads quickly, and is also able to bypass previously developed immune protection. “Those who received the most recent vaccine – unfortunately, very few people received this vaccine in Hungary last year – may be protected, but that’s not what really matters, but how much time has passed since the last vaccination. Anyone who received the previous vaccine more than six months ago, but even more so if it was more than a year, can no longer expect protection,” said Beatrix Oroszi.
The majority of people will not die or develop serious complications. The majority of people get through it as a mild illness, but we still cannot know in advance who will have severe Covid.
He drew attention to the fact that serious illnesses still occur now, even if not at such a high rate as at the beginning of the pandemic. “Apart from vaccination, which we still consider the best method, is the use of a mask, which has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of Covid-19,” he warned.
If the population were vaccinated, then I would say that the issue of the mask can be handled loosely, but since there is no vaccine, if someone wants to avoid the infection, they have no other chance than to put on the mask
said the specialist.
When we are traveling in an enclosed space, on a crowded tram, for example, or even in such an enclosed space with several people that we cannot keep a distance of one and a half to two meters, or we are traveling on an airplane. In these places, if someone has covid, even if they have mild symptoms, they can infect those around them. In such a case, the use of a good and appropriate mask helps, it should be an FFP2 mask, covering the nose and mouth – it was said in Inforádio.
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2024-10-31 00:33:00
Interview: Understanding the Current Covid-19 Landscape with Beatrix Oroszi
Setting: A virtual studio with a backdrop featuring the Time.news logo and graphics related to health and epidemiology.
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we make sense of today’s most pressing issues. I’m your host, and today we are joined by Beatrix Oroszi, the director of the Center for Epidemiology and Surveillance at Semmelweis University. Thank you for joining us, Beatrix!
Oroszi: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. You’ve mentioned that we are currently in a phase where the new coronavirus, particularly the XEC variant, is dominating the epidemiological landscape. Could you explain what sets this variant apart from previous ones?
Oroszi: Absolutely. The XEC variant is highly contagious and has developed the ability to evade some of the immunity provided by prior vaccinations. This means that even those who were previously vaccinated may not be fully protected, especially if their last vaccine was over six months ago.
Editor: That’s quite concerning. What can individuals do to protect themselves, especially considering that many people in Hungary have not received the latest booster?
Oroszi: The best defense is vaccination, which remains crucial. However, individual circumstances vary. If it’s been a long time since your last vaccine, I recommend considering a booster shot if eligible. In addition to vaccination, wearing masks in crowded or enclosed spaces can significantly reduce transmission risk.
Editor: So, you’re suggesting that even though vaccination provides a layer of protection, masking might still be necessary, especially given the variance in immunity levels across the population?
Oroszi: Exactly. While the majority of infections might present as mild, we still face serious illnesses. It’s unpredictable who will experience severe Covid, which is why community-wide precautions are important.
Editor: You also mentioned that we usually see a spike in coronavirus cases around late summer. Is this trend likely to continue, and what can we expect as we move into winter when flu season kicks in?
Oroszi: Yes, historically, we see that pattern. The coronavirus cases tend to rise around August-September, and flu season typically begins in early winter. Interestingly, the overlap between the two viruses is minimal at this point; we can anticipate that influenza will start to spread significantly later, potentially in January.
Editor: With the dual threat of Covid-19 and the flu, how should public health strategies evolve, particularly in Hungary where uptake of vaccines has been low?
Oroszi: A multi-faceted approach is necessary. We need to increase awareness about the importance of vaccination—not just for Covid but for the flu as well. Public health messaging must stress that these vaccines are our first line of defense against severe outcomes. Additionally, we should enhance our testing and surveillance capabilities to keep track of emerging variants and their impact on the community.
Editor: It sounds like education and accessibility will be critical moving forward. What’s your message to those who may still be hesitant about getting vaccinated?
Oroszi: My message is clear: vaccination saves lives. While many will experience mild symptoms, the risk of severe illness is still present. The more people who are vaccinated, the closer we come to herd immunity, which will help protect those who are vulnerable.
Editor: Thank you, Beatrix, for sharing these insights with us. It’s crucial that we stay informed and prepared as we navigate the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.
Oroszi: Thank you for having me. It’s important that we continue this conversation, and I hope more people will consider their health and the health of our communities.
Editor: This has been an enlightening discussion with Beatrix Oroszi. We encourage everyone to stay informed, take the necessary precautions, and look out for one another. Thank you for tuning in to Time.news!