The Directorate General admits the risk of increased mortality associated with Covid-19 and heat

The Directorate General of Health (DGS) has confirmed that there is an increase in Covid-19 transmission and warns that “given the observed upward trend associated with heat waves in the coming days, a period of excess mortality is possible.”

Data collected on the last day of June showed 26 new cases every 7 days per 100,000 inhabitants.

The health authority said “this figure exceeded the peak incidence last winter of 12 cases per 100,000 inhabitants every 7 days, but it is lower than the peak incidence last summer of 42 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.”

“There is also a trend towards an increase in the share of emergency situations due to COVID-19 in all regions and age groups, with the increase being more obvious in older age groups,” the State Statistics Service added.

The specific mortality rate from COVID-19 corresponded to 15 deaths in 14 days per million inhabitants, exceeding the maximum values ​​obtained during the past winter and summer, respectively 10 and 13 deaths in 14 days per million inhabitants.

Older people, people with underlying medical conditions or those who have not previously been infected may develop severe symptoms if infected, so the DGS recommends “strengthening basic infection prevention and control measures.”

“If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection – cough, fever, headache, difficulty breathing – you should wear a mask, maintain physical distance and avoid closed or crowded spaces,” the health authority said.

Other recommendations are: “follow respiratory etiquette when coughing or sneezing: cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your hand, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands or use an alcohol solution with at least 60% alcohol; wash and disinfect your hands frequently; ventilate the premises, preferably through natural ventilation, opening doors or windows, and if symptoms persist, call SNS 24 – 808242424#.