Subvariants of the new coronavirus – Eris and Pirola – have been found in Europe, including in Romania, and probably half of the new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection are related to them, the medical director of the Institute, Matej Balš, told Agerpres. on Thursday”, Dr. Adrian Marinescu.

According to the doctor, at least so far it has not been proven that these two sub-variants have increased virulence.

“When a virus remains in circulation for a long period of time, it obviously undergoes mutations. Most are minor mutations, but it is clear that variants or sub-variants occur. We currently have two sub-variants, also owned by Omicron, and they are the Eris, codenamed EG.5, and the Pyrrola, codenamed BA.2.86. The two sub-variants are quite common everywhere, including in Europe and Romania. Probably half of the new cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection are associated with these subvariants. There is nothing to fear in conditions in which increased virulence does not manifest itself, at least not yet. It’s an infectiousness that certainly lives up to everything Omicron stood for,” Dr. Adrian Marinescu told AGERPRES.

He added that although there has been an increase in the number of COVID cases in recent weeks, we cannot talk about restrictions or other waves of the pandemic, similar to those in past years.

“You see a pretty clear increase in the number of cases, the fact that we’ve had more than 50% cases in recent weeks. All these things mean a slightly more difficult situation and require caution, not thinking about the restrictions, not thinking about the pandemic waves that we had in early 2020 and in 2021. I can’t say that they are more complicated (the cases he presents himself in the hospital are not). This corresponds to what was on the Omicron. But let’s think this way: if I have about 100 cases every day, 80% of them are mild or moderate and there are no risk factors, then these people can be treated and observed at home. 20% are not necessarily severe forms, but there are people who need observation either because they are at the extreme age, that is, young children or the elderly, or because they have chronic diseases or are overweight.” , says Adrian Marinescu. .

Dr. Adrian Marinescu stressed that serious cases that occur during intensive care are rare: “Fortunately, serious cases that mean intensive care are very rare cases, but that does not mean that it is impossible, but the fact that in some you have a significant increase in the number of COVID cases, obviously these people who have complications will also be selected,” Adrian Marinescu also noted.

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