According to scientists from Ponce University of Health Sciences identified for the first time on the island the variant Covid-19 originally detected in the UK, the President The Scientific Coalition of Puerto Rico, Daniel Colon Ramos, warned of the possibility of the country facing “two parallel pandemics”.
Colon Ramos pointed out that, in all likelihood, this strain of SARS-CoV-2, known as B.1.1.7.it has been spreading in Puerto Rico for weeks or months, although it is impossible at this time to estimate its prevalence compared to the ‘original’ strain of the virus.
“In Portugal, there has been a decrease in cases, as we see now in Puerto Rico, which coincided with Christmas. The President of Portugal, with justified reasons at the time, thought that the people had suffered enough and wanted to give them an air so that the people could celebrate, so he relaxed for a week. These days, the Portuguese hospital system was on the verge of collapse, because, unfortunately, that decision coincided with the arrival of the English strain and another strain from Brazil, which is also very contagious, “explained the science professor. neurocellular therapy at Yale University.
“What they are saying is that they have seen a decrease in the original strain. It was as if they had two pandemics, one with the original strain and one with the new strain. With the new strain they grew dramatically. The schedule (contagions) is impressive, as if it were a rocket taking off “, illustrated Colón Ramos.
To prevent a Portuguese-like scenario from replicating in Puerto Rico – where there has been a sharp drop in hospitalizations for Covid-19 since mid-December – Colón Ramos acknowledged that new precautions should be put in place. The federal epidemiologist, Anthony FauciFor example, he talked about people using two masks, which Colón Ramos indicated should be further studied.
“In the Coalition we will examine that recommendation and these studies, to see what recommendations we make to the governor (Pedro Pierluisi) and the people of Puerto Rico regarding these individual behaviors. The general precautions remain the same: distance of six feet, hand washing and use of masks. If we (recommend) the use of two masks, one made of fabric and the other that protects a little better, we will look at it, ”said the Puerto Rican scientist.
Fear that the strain B.1.1.7. It includes among experts that, although it is not necessarily more harmful to the immune system than other variants of SARS-CoV-2, it is significantly more contagious, posing a greater danger in collective terms.
“We will know soon (the prevalence of the new strain in Puerto Rico), in a few days or weeks. Molecular epidemiology, follow-up studies are needed. These have been studies since December Department of Health he was preparing to set them up, in collaboration with academic centers and federal institutions. I’m glad they started then because they put us in a position to do the necessary work. I would be very surprised if this strain has just arrived in Puerto Rico, “said Colón Ramos.
The scientist pointed out that both Pfizer that Modern –Those available in Puerto Rico– have been shown to be effective against B.1.1.7., But there are still certain aspects about which there is no certainty about this mutation.
For example, it is not known for sure whether a person who was infected with the original SARS-CoV-2 variant retains a certain degree of immunity against the new strain, although Colón Ramos recalled that isolated cases of reinfections have been known for months. . .
Ahead of the next executive order, which will take effect on February 8, Colón Ramos anticipated that “these days” the Scientific Coalition could publish the recommendations it will present to Governor Pierluisi.
“We had discussions with each other and with the governor’s team. We are collecting (recommendations) in writing. The recommendations will be presented and published, ”said Colón Ramos, stressing that, in the end, the decision on the recommendations to be adopted rests with the chief executive.