A lot is different in the omicron wave of the Covid pandemic. In previous outbreaks of the virus, it was only when a clear downward trend of the data emerged that measures in Catalonia began to be eased. But this time, the reopening is almost ahead of the data. This Friday, Catalonia has lifted its remaining Covid restrictions (except for the closure of nightlife), as well as saying goodbye to the requirement for the Covid passport to access bars, restaurants, gyms and care homes. But it is only now that the statistics suggest the infections may have peaked.
Although very high daily figures of new positive cases are still being recorded, today's total has fallen below the 30,000 threshold. To be precise, it's 27,340. That's 6,000 fewer than yesterday and 14,000 less than last Thursday. In addition, for the first time in months, the EPG outbreak risk drops significantly, from 6,724 to 6,501, although these high four-digit figures were unimaginable before the arrival of omicron. The Rt transmission risk also shows the downward trend by falling below the crucial level of 1 - thus indicating that the pandemic is in decline.
Meanwhile, data from hospitals is mixed. After days of falling numbers in the ICUs, today the number of critical admissions has risen slightly. It seems that the peak of this sixth wave in Catalan ICUs was recorded on January 17th, when there were 529 patients in intensive care. This week, the numbers have fallen well below 500, a figure that has not been exceeded again, although in the latest data a net increase of two critical patients is reported. With these, there are currently 470 patients in intensive care units.
Covid patients in ICUs in Catalonia: over 50 (yellow) and under 50 (blue)
On the other hand, the number of Covid patients in general hospital wards continues to rise and is now close to 3,000. In the last few hours, 21 new patients have been registered, bringing the total to 2,949. However, the record number of Covid patients in Catalan health centres - 3,021 - which occurred on 26th January 2021, has not been exceeded. It remains to be seen whether this undesirable record will be broken in the coming days.
Hospitals not overwhelmed
All this shows that although much more contagious - causing frightening numbers of infections that reached over 50,000 daily across Catalonia - the omicron variant is less severe than previous variants. Despite the soaring indicators, hospitals have not been overwhelmed. On the other hand, primary care has suffered the effects of these unprecedented infections, with days in which more than 100,000 patients had to be treated. However, in recent days, this has decreased slightly too.
There is also bad news, however: between 40 and 100 deaths a day from Covid have occurred in Catalonia in recent days. The current wave of mortality began in late November, before the omicron wave hit, and health authorities have continued to emphasise over recent weeks that it is delta, not omicron, that is responsible for the majority of Catalonia's most serious Covid cases in this wave. Mortality may have peaked but is still high, with death rates comparable to Catalonia's fifth wave last summer. On Thursday, CatSalut reported 52 new deaths from Covid, two more than the previous day. The pandemic has now claimed 25,562 lives in Catalonia, a number that could have been much higher if it were not for the effectiveness of vaccines which, according to a study, have saved 10,000 lives in Catalonia.
Deaths from Coronvirus in Catalonia since June 2021
14-day incidence of Covid per 100,000 people in Catalonia: over 50 (yellow) and under 50 (blue)
New "stealth" omicron variant
In the last few days, confirmation has emerged of a new omicron subvariant, nicknamed for its stealth - or more formally, the BA2 variant - which seems to be even more contagious than the current dominant strain. After 5 cases of this new version of the virus have been confirmed around the Spanish state (two of them in Catalonia), the Spanish health minister, Carolina Darias, called for calm, noting that the scientific evidence available so far indicates that the new omicron subvariant "behaves similarly" to the first. "We'll see how BA2 behaves. It's in the study phase, it's incipient in Denmark, a little in India and Sweden," said the minister, assuring that "the information we have, with all caution, is that it behaves similarly to the existing variant" - that is, BA1.
Passport-free weekend in Catalonia
As of today, Friday 28th, Catalonia has ended all the Covid capacity restrictions and time limitations in almost all sectors, but with one exception: nightlife. Catalan health minister Josep Maria Argimon today gave the ACN agency a possible date for re-opening the nightlife sector: February 11th - although that is just a proposal at present.
The other Covid measure that has also ceased to apply this Friday is the mandatory use of the Covid certificate to enter bars, restaurants, gyms and care homes. After evaluating a scientific report it had requested on the measure, the Catalan government decided not to request the extension of the Covid passport from the High Court of Catalonia. Thus, without an extension, the measure automatically ceased to apply at midnight between Thursday and Friday.
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