Health Minister Dr. Fahrettin Koca stated that the increase in the number of cases originating from the Omicron variant was mostly experienced in Istanbul.
Minister Koca shared the latest information about the Omicron variant in his written statement: How has the Omicron variant, which has become dominant in our country, affected in the last 10 days? What to do against Omicron?
I would like to inform you about the omicron variant, which has become increasingly common in our country. As you follow, there has been a significant increase in the number of daily cases in our country in the last week. This increase is an expected development. The Omicron variant is infecting much faster than previous variants and is rapidly becoming dominant. However, the increase in the number of cases both in the countries that experienced it before and in the 1-day experience in our country is not reflected in hospitalizations at similar rates. I want you to know that we are following this process closely.
In the last week, the number of daily cases seen in our country has doubled. Although the number of cases has doubled across the country in the last 10 days, there has been an increase of 4,6% in hospitalizations. There was no increase in intensive care and intubation. Among our citizens who passed away in the last 1 month, those over the age of 60 constitute 87,21% of all deaths. On the other hand, 16,81% of the cases are our citizens over the age of 60. The most critical group that we need to protect is people over 60 years old and with chronic diseases.
The increase in the number of cases originating from the Omicron variant occurred mostly in Istanbul. 22,4% of the previously seen cases across the country were in Istanbul. In the last 10 days, 52,3% of the cases originated in Istanbul. This situation may be experienced in all our provinces in the near future. Despite the 10-fold increase in the number of cases in Istanbul in the last 5 days, there has been a 6,2% increase in hospitalizations. There was no increase in hospitalization and intubation in intensive care units in Istanbul. If the Omicron epidemic continues in this state, it is predicted that hospitalizations will not increase as significantly as the infection rate. These preliminary assessments should not cause complacency. We are still at an early stage to say that omicron makes patients less sick. In addition, although the situation does not seem unfavorable proportionally, the fact that many people are infected increases the risks.
What to do?
It was expected to see many variants and mutations in the epidemic. We have experienced these. However, different mutations and variants do not change the measures that can be taken against the epidemic. In the new process of the epidemic to protect our loved ones and reach the future with health;
1. Should not spend time in closed and ventilated environments
2. In any case, he should not compromise on the use of masks.
3. Do not neglect vaccination reminder doses
4. We should pay maximum attention to social distance. Considering the transmission rate of the Omicron variant, we should increase the social distance up to 3 meters.
5. We must follow the hygiene rules more meticulously than ever before.
Remember, although the virus mutates, the measures do not change. Personal precautions have become more important today than yesterday. We shouldn't worry, but we should be much more cautious.
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