Habibe Eren 

 

ISTANBUL - Istanbul Medical Chamber Chair Pınar Saip, who warned that the Delta variant, which is seen in 36 provinces according to the data of the Ministry of Health in Turkey, will become more dominant, stated that September will be difficult with the increase in cases, and said: ‘’Unfortunately, there is still trying to manage perception rather than epidemic.’’

 

While the coronavirus continues to spread in the world and in Turkey, there is an increase in the number of cases with ‘’normalization’’. On the other hand, the danger is growing with the appearance of the Delta plus variant, which has been seen in India for the first time in the past months. According to the latest statements of the Minister of Health, the Delta variant was seen in 36 provinces and the cases started to rise this week; however, no data has been released to date regarding the density of the Delta variant in which provinces. On the other hand, the rate of pneumonia and the total number of people who lost their lives were removed from the ‘’coronavirus table’’ published every day by the Ministry of Health.

 

The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) warned on July 1 about the Delta variant, which is more contagious, with the relaxation of the measures and the full opening. TTB said that the number of daily cases has not yet decreased to the desired level and that opening at least 70 percent before the vaccination is completed may have bad results.

 

What is a delta mutation?

 

The Delta variant, which emerged in India, is one of the "worrying" mutations, according to the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Delta, formerly known as B.1.617.2, spreads more easily than the original form of the virus and the Alpha variant identified in Britain; It is even stated to be the most contagious variant ever. While not with complete certainty, public health officials say Delta may be 50 percent more contagious than the Alpha variant.

 

Istanbul Medical Chamber Chair Prof. Dr. Pınar Saip said that the rapidly spreading Delta variant will be seen more in the coming days.

 

Delta variant will become more dominant

 

Noting that the delta variant has become dominant in many European countries, Pınar said, “It will soon become dominant in our country as well. For this reason, it is necessary to look at it regularly, reflect it on the daily table and share the current situation with all its clarity.

 

‘September will force health workers’

 

Stating that the variant in question is more common in Istanbul, Pınar said that the Ministry did not make a statement regarding the case situation in other provinces. Pınar continued her words as follows: ‘’The variant virus is expected to increase in big cities and provinces where tourism is intense. There is an increase of 20-30% in cases. An increase in hospital and intensive care hospitalizations can be expected 10-15 days after the increase in cases. If adequate vaccination is not done and necessary precautions are not taken, there may be a compelling increase in health workers in September. Although we health professionals are largely vaccinated, we continue to act cautiously. h professionals are largely vaccinated, we continue to act cautiously. Because the vaccine does not prevent disease and transmission. But it prevents the disease from being severe. Unfortunately, the data of those who have been vaccinated in our country have not been announced yet.’’

 

‘Unvaccinated population is still too high’

 

Pointing out that there was a clear decrease in the rates of passing on Covid-19 and the rates of severe illness among the vaccinated health workers in the Istanbul Medical Chamber’s study conducted in May for ‘vaccinated health workers’, Pınar said: ‘’Death notification due to Covid-19 was not reflected in our room in physicians who had two vaccinations, had enough time and did not have serious additional diseases. This shows that the vaccine is effective in real life. We will see the effect of the delta variant over time. The effect of vaccines against the delta variant is reduced by 20 percent. But according to real-life data we learned from the UK, USA and Israel, the vaccine is more than 95 percent protective from severe illness and death. Unfortunately, the population that is not vaccinated is still too high in our country. If this causes an increase in hospital and intensive care hospitalizations as the disease spreads, it will force healthcare workers.’’

 

‘Fileation studies need to be focused on’

 

Suggesting that the delta variant is more contagious, those who do not have suitable conditions at home should benefit from the state guesthouses and dormitories, Pınar said: ‘’Filiation studies should be focused on the source of the detected cases and who they can infect, and widespread testing should be done. Unfortunately, this is not done enough.’’

 

‘Refugees and immigrants should be vaccinated’

 

Pointing out that there are irregular migrations from the borders apart from tourism purposes, Pınar emphasized that testing and vaccination should be done widely among refugees and immigrants. Pointing out that immigrants are widely employed as cheap labor, Pınar said: ‘’For those who come for tourism, convenience is provided for economic reasons. Quarantine is not enforced. It is necessary to test widely in tourism resorts, to ensure that the employees are vaccinated, and to monitor whether the necessary precautions are taken or not.’’

 

‘The number of cases is high in provinces where vaccination is low’

 

Pointing out that there has been an increase in cases before the feast has begun, Pınar warned that there may be a serious increase in the number of cases towards September. Noting that they do not know the actual number because there is no widespread testing, but the actual number of cases is much higher than reported, Pınar said: ‘’There are also clear differences between vaccination and Covid-19 cases between provinces. While the incidence of 100,000 cases is low in provinces where vaccination is high, such as Kırklareli and Edirne, the number of cases is high in eastern provinces where vaccination is low.’’

 

‘Trying to provide the community with a feeling as an epidemic is under control’

 

‘’Unfortunately, there is still an attempt to manage perception rather than an epidemic. The proportions of those who received the first dose of vaccine are given in larger fonts, giving the impression that social immunity has been provided,’’ Pınar said and continued that immunity is formed 14 days after the second dose of vaccination is given. Pınar stated: ‘’Removing the pneumonia rate and the number of patients in intensive care from the daily table provides the feeling that the epidemic is under control in the society. This results in less compliance with the necessary precautions.’’

 

Precautions which should be taken

 

Emphasizing that the epidemic cannot be managed with the decisions of the government from the top, Pınar stated that widespread vaccination should be done and vaccine hesitations should be eliminated. Continuing her speech, Pınar talked about the precautions to be taken as follows: ‘’The powers of the Scientific Board should be defined, its recommendations and meeting decisions should be shared with the public. The epidemic should be carried out with the decisions to be taken together with professional organizations and relevant non-governmental organizations. Ways should be found to ensure participation in the decisions taken to ensure social cohesion. Immunization needs to be completed quickly with a convincing vaccination campaign. Because the delta variant is more contagious, 80 percent of the population should be vaccinated for herd immunity. In addition, physical distance and ventilation rules must be complied with in workplaces, public transportation and indoor areas. The mask must be worn outdoors, except in atmospheres where physical distance is ensured.’’