By Carola Rico
A new restriction of activities due to an increase in by Covid-19 infections or the Omicron variant would generate chaos and an economic crisis that would be difficult to overcome. Although positive cases have shot up in San Miguel de Allende, the vaccine has definitely helped keep hospitalizations at almost zero, and has caused fewer deaths.
Dr. Jorge Vidargas Rojas, head of Sanitary Jurisdiction II, confirmed that San Miguel de Allende has been no exception to this wave of Covid-19 infections. Positive cases have increased considerably: whereas there were only one or two per day before the holidays, now there are 20-25 confirmed cases of the virus daily. This means that with the increase in the circulation of the virus in the city, it is estimated we will reach the peak at the end of January.
Dr. Vidargas indicated that fortunately, in regard to public hospitals, no patients have been admitted during this new wave. Regarding tests to detect Covid-19, approximately 70-100 are being administered daily in the public sector, and more in the private sector, making the total about 250 per day.
Vidargas stressed that 50 percent of the population of San Miguel de Allende is vaccinated, which means that SMA does not have herd immunity. On the positive side, in the first 15 days of the year no deaths from Covid-19 or the Omicron variant have been reported.
He explained that Covid-19 in Mexico lags European countries by approximately five weeks, and what is happening in those countries could happen here—increased hospitalizations or more severe health problems. He stressed that to forestall that and break the chain of infections, we need to be vaccinated with the necessary doses and follow medical recommendations.
Dr. Werner Ricardo Gordillo Morath, from The Clinic SMA, states that in the last seven days he has seen a considerable increase in Covid-19 infections. He explained that the test generally performed at his clinic is the antigen. It is at hand and the most economically viable for the patient, so it is the most requested. Gordillo pointed out that although The Clinic SMA is private, not everyone can afford 2,300 pesos for a PCR test.
Dr. Gordillo said that 10 positive cases are being detected daily in The Clinic SMA. He commented that it is notable that the infection has been much milder for those who have been vaccinated, unlike what was happening before the vaccine was available.
With respect to Omicron, it is still not certain how it differs from other variants, as the resources to define this variant are lacking; however, based on the symptomology, many of the cases presented are most likely Omicron.
According to what Dr. Vidargas and Dr. Gordillo told us, we still have four more weeks of this wave of infections to come. According to scientific calculations, it will take two more weeks to reach the peak, and another two to go down.
Regarding the municipal government of San Miguel, chaired by Mayor Mauricio Trejo Pureco, it feels that it is very important to maintain economic activity. At the last press release it endorsed the use of the masks at all times. It also called on all stores, hotels, bars, restaurants, and service providers to maintain sanitary measures in their establishments by taking temperatures and providing sanitary gel in order to maintain everyone’s health and avoid closures.
Finally, we have the testimony of someone who shared their contagion experience but chose to remain anonymous. This person stated that the first one to manifest symptoms was the daughter who had a mild sore throat. At a visit with the doctor, they were asked to have a Covid-19 test, and tested positive. They isolated themselves, and after a week began to feel better, which allowed them to carry out their activities working from home.
According to the doctors, this new Omicron variant is not as virulent as earlier variants, and the symptoms disappear more quickly. Our interviewee and daughter are still in isolation, as recommended, before resuming their normal activities following the necessary protocols.
