The "nightmare of COVID-19" returns, the new XBB variant that is wreaking havoc in China appears, soon 65 million cases per week, the scary prediction of experts is revealed

At a time when the whole world thought that COVID-19 was just a "nightmare" that belonged to the past, fear and anxiety have returned. The alarming figures come from China, where it all started a few years ago, and the country seems to be facing a new wave of infections, worrying the whole world, again. Although it is not as serious as the moments experienced in the last two years, Chinese media reports that the peak is expected to be reached at the end of June, with about 65 million cases per week. The cause of this "rebirth", according to the predictions of Zhong Nanshan, the leading expert on infectious diseases, are the XBB variants of Sars-CoV-2, which have become dominant in the country.

The new wave of Covid-19

The Chinese newspaper Global Times wrote that China has approved two new vaccines and is preparing to authorize three or four more. Zhong Nanshan, spoke in Guangzhou for the Greater Bay Area Science Forum, where he explained what is happening. A small wave of infections was predicted in late April and early May, however the situation seems to have gotten somewhat out of control. Forecasts have shown that a peak in infections is likely to be reached later this month, with around 40 million infections per week. By the end of June, the outbreak is expected to peak at about 65 million infections per week. "The second hit will not be as severe, nor will hospitals be overwhelmed as reinfection usually occurs with milder symptoms," said Wang Guangfa, a respiratory disease expert at Beijing First University Hospital. However, Wang said it is very important for people who are most affected, those with co-morbidities or the elderly, to take appropriate preventive measures. According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), the infection rate of the Xbb mutant increased from 0.2% in mid-February to 74.4% in late April and then to 83.6% in late April to early May. . The data published by "China CDC Weekly" show that among 368 Covid-19 infections, 104 were infected for the second time. According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), the infection rate of the Xbb mutant increased from 0.2% in mid-February to 74.4% in late April and then to 83.6% in late April to early May. . The data published by "China CDC Weekly" show that among 368 Covid-19 infections, 104 were infected for the second time. According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), the infection rate of the Xbb mutant increased from 0.2% in mid-February to 74.4% in late April and then to 83.6% in late April to early May. . The data published by "China CDC Weekly" show that among 368 Covid-19 infections, 104 were infected for the second time.

New variants

Meanwhile, a World Health Organization (WHO) advisory group recently recommended upgrading this year's Covid-19 boosters to target one of the currently prevalent XBB variants. New formulations should specifically aim to produce antibody responses to Xbb.1.5 or XBB.1.16 variants, and other formulations or platforms capable of eliciting neutralizing antibody responses against XBB may also be considered. Zhong however emphasized that the forecast is based on model data, which "may not be accurate". Zhong then emphasized that the next step in the treatment of Covid infection is the development of vaccines, including mRNA vaccines and recombinant protein vaccines, which mainly target specific groups, such as the elderly who are immunocompromised or have other serious causes. On the other hand, once patients become infected, timely medical care should be provided, which can greatly reduce the mortality rate, Zhong said.

Rreziku për Europën

XBB.1.16 sigurisht që nuk do të jetë varianti i fundit i ri që shfaqet. Nënvarianti është një degë tjetër e pemës familjare në rritje të Omicron. Drejtuesja teknike e OBSH-së për Covid-19, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, tha se virusi vazhdon të evoluojë dhe do të vazhdojë të evoluojë.Ndërkohë, Fabrizio Pregliasco, një virolog në Universitetin Shtetëror të Milanos, shprehet se Europa nuk duhet të shqetësohet edhe aq shumë për variantin e ri të COVID që ka alarmuar Kinën. “Do të ketë një rritje të parëndësishme, ndoshta pa ndikim të konsiderueshëm për sa i përket rasteve të rënda”, shpjegon eksperti për Adnkronos Salute. “Virusi do të mbetet me ne, me tendenca të valëzuara dhe josinkrone në mbarë botën, i udhëhequr në zona të ndryshme të botës nga nivelet e imunitetit hibrid të fituar nga popullata. Aktualisht jemi në një fazë zvogëlimi sepse kemi pësuar një valë ngjitjeje pak kohë më parë”,theksoi Pregliasco.