The weekly COVID-19 table shared by the Ministry of Health showed that the number of daily cases has risen to over 30 thousand again. This frightening picture, “Will the shutdowns come back?” It brought with it the question.
The coronavirus, which emerged in December 2019 and spread all over the world in a very short time, caused us to be exposed to unprecedented restrictions. But most importantly, the virus was responsible for the deaths of more than 6 million people worldwide. In the past months, the number of cases has decreased worldwide due to the effect of vaccination.
In Turkey, the number of cases decreased in parallel with the world, and the daily number of cases fell below 1000. With the decline in numbers, we said goodbye to the coronavirus restrictions. However, the new data shared by the Ministry of Health for the week of July 11-17 showed that we are about to return to the pre-restriction number of cases.
More than 30 thousand cases were seen daily:
According to the weekly COVID-19 table of the Ministry of Health, the total for the week of 11-17 July 226 thousand 532 cases were detected. With this number, the number of cases detected in Turkey so far 15 million 524 thousand exceeded. While it is known that the death rate of the virus has decreased greatly, last week 96 citizens lost their lives shared.
So what does this chart show us?
The table shared by the Ministry of Health is actually for us. an important reminder and stimulant character. Although the administration lifted the coronavirus restrictions, almost all of us acted as if the epidemic had completely disappeared after these restrictions. Yes, the disease does not cause high death rates as it used to be due to the effect of the vaccine. But anyways COVID-19 can be passed as a serious illness. It reduces our quality of life for a while. In addition, let’s say that the long-term effects of this disease are still a big question mark, and research on this subject continues.
If we do not increase our measures, we can go back to difficult days:
The number of COVID-19 cases has been increasing in recent weeks, not only in our country, but all over the world. Similar words come out of the mouths of experts both around the world and in our country: Measures should be taken immediately against the increasing number of cases. Otherwise, this latest increase, which is considered as the ‘new wave’, may cause us to encounter difficult days in the autumn period.
Scientific Committee member: “I think the bad days are behind”
Scientific Committee Member Prof. Dr. Tevfik Özlü stated that after the increasing cases, mandatory closures are not on the agenda. Özlü also emphasized that social immunity is formed against the virus. However, he continued his statements as follows, stating that risky groups should be careful:
“Take the flu, for example. Just because you’ve had the flu before doesn’t mean you won’t get the flu again. This is like him. In other words, this immunity does not completely protect you from getting sick, but I still think that the immunity that develops has a feature that prevents the disease from progressing severely, I believe so. Because there is an immunity in the society. That is, both because of vaccinations and because of those who have had the disease. A basal protection has occurred, even if not at an adequate level. This leads to a milder course of the disease. And when the mutation of the virus is in the same direction, this is a good development. I don’t think we will go back to a chaotic environment like in 2020-2021 anymore. I think the bad days are over.
There are also high-risk environments. For example, public transportation is one of them, elevators are one of them, they are closed, narrow and not ventilated. Available to other people. Of course, being in a place like this without a mask is risky. You have to pay attention to them. And of course, weddings, associations, engagements, speeches, mawlids, concerts, cinemas, theaters, rallies, places of worship, crowded environments. You have to be masked here. You have to be careful. You have to try to keep the distance. I don’t expect to be closed again. So I don’t think there will be a mandatory shutdown or such a need. Such a thing is not on the agenda. There is no such expectation in the whole world. Only some countries have recommendations on the use of masks. We’ve been doing that from the very beginning. I am currently using a mask. For example, I always wear a mask in the hospital. Other than that, I continue to use masks in such narrow, closed, poorly ventilated social areas.“
So what should we do individually?
Experts point out that in order not to return to difficult days again, the recently transferred PCR tests should be carried out and the test results should be shared daily. However, missing vaccines and reminder doses are not completed also emphasizes.
What we need to do individually is to avoid further increase in cases and re-fighting with potential restrictions. observing the social distancing ruleourselves and our environment disinfectIn case of any disease, it is necessary to wear a mask in order not to spread bacteria around, and to have our vaccinations and reminder doses on time. If we do not start taking these measures individually now, we may find ourselves in the situation that experts have been talking about for a long time. The virus is still circulating among us.