Increase in Hospitalizations due to New Variant of COVID-19
The number of hospital admissions due to COVID-19 has experienced a notable increase in the last two weeks, reaching significantly higher levels. This spike in cases mainly affects people between 65 and 79 years old, and it is suspected that it could be related to a new subvariant of the omicron variant, called Flirt in the United States. This strain has begun to appear in various parts of the country in recent days, spreading rapidly. Although it has been observed to have a greater contagion capacity, it does not appear to be more virulent or serious, according to medical information.
Symptoms and Detection of the New Variant
Among the symptoms associated with this new variant, the possible reappearance of loss of smell and taste has been noted, similar to what has been observed with other variants of COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged pharmaceutical companies to adapt their vaccines to deal with Flirt, considering the possibility of this variant becoming dominant in the near future. In addition, an increase in hospitalizations and infections has been observed, possibly related to the decrease in hybrid protection (vaccination and previous infection) and the change of season.
Detection of the New Variant in Hospital Centers
In Catalonia, the Flirt subvariant has already been identified in the Vall d’Hebron hospital and the Germans Trias hospital. In Madrid, the Carlos III Health Institute has reported an increase in cases, although the BA.2.86 variant remains predominant. The incidence of respiratory infections throughout Spain has increased significantly, with a 60% increase in infections in people aged 60 years or older. The overall hospitalization rate linked to COVID-19 has tripled in the last two weeks, reaching 1.3 cases per one hundred thousand inhabitants. Reports from the Carlos III Health Institute also indicate a similar trend in Andalusia and Aragon.
Withdrawal of the AstraZeneca Vaccine in Europe
Earlier this month, the European Commission decided to withdraw the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca, known as Vaxzevria, from the market. This determination occurred following the request of the pharmaceutical company itself, in the midst of legal processes in the United Kingdom that revealed possible side effects, such as thrombosis, in exceptional cases. The withdrawal of the marketing authorization will come into force from May 7, following the notification made by the community executive on April 2.
