The Ministry of Health (Minsa) of Nicaragua reports a slight increase in positive infections of covid-19 for three weeks, this increase coincides with the realization of crowds and decrease in prevention measures before the return to “the new normality”.
According to Minsa figures, which have historically had a high underreporting, from May 10 to 31 there was an increase of 22%, which occurs after two consecutive months in which the contagion curve was declining after a small outbreak triggered at the beginning of the year for the omicron variant.
Doctors from public and private hospitals agree that in some areas of the country more respiratory cases are being reported that could be linked to covid-19, but that they do not have an official diagnosis due to the lack of PCR tests.
A source close to the German Nicaraguan Hospital (HAN) confided to CONFIDENTIAL that they have 18 severe cases of covid-19 and of these three are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Likewise, it points out that it is in the Health centers where there has been a greater demand for medical care for respiratory diseases.
“He classifies them as pneumonia because of the winter season. No one is being swabbed, only (Health) workers and their families, only blood tests for the population, ”said the source.
According to the report of the Epidemiological Bulletin, during this year the National Center for Diagnosis and Reference (CNDR), the only institution authorized to carry out covid-19 tests in the country, has carried out 43,453 for a cumulative of 196,380 tests carried out in more two years old
Flu and covid pictures
At the Vivian Pellas Hospital, which provides private care, the covid unit was reopened two weeks ago. Sanitary sources indicate that it remained closed for four months, but due to the increase in cases they reopened it.
“Patients have been admitted, but one or two maximum, all moderate. The number of emergency care and private clinics is also seeing an increase, “they point out.
In Jinotega, the sources indicate that three cases of covid-19 and one deceased were registered in the week, which was complicated because he had other pathologies and was elderly. However, there is no increase similar to that at other times of the pandemic that had to expand the rooms.
In the department of Madriz, there has been an increase in flu symptoms, body aches and fever that are associated with the omicron variant. “The population has already lowered its guard, they do not wear masks, hand washing is less frequent and almost no one carries their alcohol gel,” the sources explain.
The doctors consulted by CONFIDENTIAL They suggest the population continue with prevention measures such as hand washing, the use of masks in crowded places and social distancing, they also recommend vaccination.
PAHO reports general increase in covid-19
This week the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) pointed out that in Latin America the cases of covid-19 have increased for the sixth consecutive week, which translates into an increase of 10.4% in infections and 14% in deaths, which in Central America rises to 21%.
“Our health systems are still recovering from the disruption caused by the pandemic, but are now facing another surge in Covid-19 cases, along with a growing risk of current public health events such as monkeypox, flu. viral hepatitis and other respiratory infections,” said PAHO director Carissa Etienne, who asked health authorities to remain alert.
As detailed by Dr. Etienne, cases of influenza had been low since the start of the pandemic, but these have begun to rise. “The influenza virus is circulating again, and not just during the traditional flu season,” she added.
This Wednesday, Costa Rica also reported the first suspected case of monkeypox or monkeypox in a Norwegian tourist who entered this country on May 22. The patient was treated in a private hospital and has presented mild symptoms of the disease, detailed the Costa Rican authorities.
Minsa must train health personnel
In Nicaragua no suspected cases of it have yet been reported, but the Minsa ensures that it has a surveillance system for febrile eruptive diseases that will allow investigation and diagnosis of cases. For his part, the epidemiologist Leonel Argüello, assured in an interview with Esta Noche, that the health authorities have to train health personnel so that they can identify the disease.
“In the specific case of Nicaragua, although a chickenpox epidemic has not been declared, what I hear from the information that many colleagues give me is that they are seeing many cases of chickenpox and (doctors) have to know how to differentiate it from the monkeypox,” he says.
Likewise, he explains that he does not believe that this will become a pandemic like that of covid-19; however, it will depend on the reaction that governments have to this disease and the political will they have to carry out tests to confirm the diagnosis, which have been lacking in the case of covid-19.
“If governments see this new threat as a political issue, we will sink, it has to be seen as a scientific issue that needs to be alerted to the population, monitored and control cases when they appear. If we don’t learn from covid-19, we could very well enter another pandemic. I hope we don’t have to come to that, ”she warns.
