Friday, September 20
COVID-19: more cases and hospitalizations in children
Latest on COVID – 19
Covid in children
Public health authorities in the United States are registering a significant increase in covid cases in children. Only in Michigan, where the pandemic has hit hard, were there 70 cases of children hospitalized for covid in the week ending 23 April.
A report from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that children accounted for 1 in 5 cases detected nationwide during the second week of April.
Experts wonder if minors are more susceptible to the strain that emerged in the United Kingdom, and it is circulating widely in the United States.
Other countries with emerging strains appear to be experiencing the same phenomenon. In Brazil, where a coronavirus mutation that causes covid circulates – 23, 1, 300 deaths of infants and toddlers have already been recorded.
Apparently the virus causes a multisystemic inflammatory syndrome, an exaggerated response of the immune system to the presence of the coronavirus, which can be fatal.
Covid home test
In Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Austria, and now in South Korea conditionally, they are already using home tests for covid. The sensitivity rates of the tests developed by SD Biosensor and Humasis are 90% and 70. 4% respectively.
United States already vaccinated 16 years and older
Adolescents of 16 years and more are already receiving the Pfizer vaccine, the only one authorized so far for that age group.
In Montgomery County, Maryland, under the slogan “No arm Left Behind,” Governor Larry Hogan launched a campaign to get the entire adult population vaccinated soon.
Pfizer Vaccine
Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, said a third dose of the vaccine will likely be needed from six to months after the second, to strengthen immunity.
This strengthens the idea that the covid vaccine could be seasonal, requiring an annual dose, as is the case with the flu vaccine.
Scientists still do not know how long immunity lasts after of the two doses.
Johns Hopkins University created a map of cases, almost in real time, that you can also see and follow here:
- Guide: how to prepare for the coronavirus
What are coronaviruses
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a broad family of viruses that can cause various conditions, from the common cold to more serious illnesses, such as the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). A new coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been found before in humans.
How do you get coronavirus
Coronaviruses can be transmitted from animals to people (called zoonotic transmission). Studies confirmed that SARS-CoV was transmitted from the civet to humans and that transmission of MERS-CoV from dromedary to humans has occurred. In addition, it is known that there are other coronaviruses circulating among animals, which have not yet infected humans.
Characteristic symptoms
These infections usually cause fever and respiratory symptoms (cough and dyspnea or shortness of breath). In the most severe cases, they can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Also headache and loss of taste and smell.
How to prevent contagion
The usual recommendations to avoid spreading the infection are to wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing (with your arm, not your hand). Masks should be used, especially indoors.
Close contact with anyone with signs of respiratory disease, such as coughing or sneezing, should also be avoided. Comply with social distancing of 6 feet (two meters) and stay home if symptoms appear.
Sources: WHO, CDC, Johns Hopkins.
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