The figures for infections and hospital admissions due to covid in Catalonia accumulate four weeks of growth and are at levels registered in the middle of winter. Although the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 remains low and experts see no cause for alarm, the positives detected in primary care have skyrocketed and pharmacies have experienced increases in the sale of antigen tests, supposedly caused by the growth of symptomatic people.

Although they practice few tests, the Catalan outpatient clinics diagnosed 4,531 cases in week 30 (July 24 to 30) (1,693 in people over 60 years of age), 945 more than in the previous period. It is the highest weekly data since mid-December of last year.

“The vast majority are mild cases,” said yesterday the president of the Col·legi de Metges de Barcelona, ??Jaume Padrós. “We don’t have to be uneasy. Act with common sense: if you suspect, perform tests, and if you are from risk groups, consult your doctor. And be prudent: protect yourself and others,” he added on Twitter.

Parallel to the infections, the number of hospitalized is increasing: 376 people (283 over 60 years of age) on July 30, 66 more than in the previous week and the highest figure since week 4 (23 to 29 July). January), when 383 admitted were registered.

The increase is significant since July 2, when the lowest number of hospitalized for covid of the year was recorded: 223 patients. On the other hand, the number of those admitted to the ucis (13) has remained stable in recent weeks.

The upward trend is not exclusive to Catalonia. In Madrid, 735 positives were reported in the last week, 45.3% more than in the previous week. This increase was fueled by various outbreaks, some of which occurred in hospitals.

Carolina Garcia-Vidal, a specialist in infectious diseases at the Hospital Clínic, highlights the growth in the number of positives detected in outpatient clinics – “it is skyrocketing” – and disseminated some basic advice. With fever, headache or poor general condition, a test should be performed. If it is negative but the symptoms persist after 48 hours, a new test.

The population at risk should consult a doctor: “You can greatly benefit from starting antiviral treatment early. Life is going for you!” The doctor recalls the usefulness of paracetamol against symptoms and the need to protect the population at risk by avoiding contact. “Unfortunately, the covid has not disappeared. Things have changed, without a doubt, but for a certain population it is still potentially deadly ”, she concludes.