The slight decrease in coronavirus cases compared to the trend recorded during the festive season leaves no room for complacency for scientists, who are concerned to see that the Omicron mutation, but also the Delta, are still here and threaten public health. At every opportunity, they sound the alarm, stressing that we still need to be careful to avoid the worst. The decision to extend the measures for at least another week is no coincidence.
Mayorkin: Why we will not have herd immunity
The statement of the professor of epidemiology was characteristic, Gika Mayorkini in the show «Hellenic Hour» on OPEN TV. As he explained, herd immunity is a condition in which the population has reached a point of sterile immunity, i.e. immunity that cannot catch the coronavirus to such a level that the virus stops spreading.
«We have to keep in mind that for the coronavirus this is not possible, nor is it sustainable because someone after 3-4 months can reattach. So herd immunity will not be achieved. We initially had a hope, but not anymore,» the professor said, adding that «this is not possible, neither by the characteristics of the disease nor by the contagiousness.».
Regarding whether someone who has contracted the Omicron mutation can get coronavirus again, he replied that this could possibly happen after three months, however, there are no data yet since Omicron has been around for a short time in the community.
Regarding the epidemiological picture at Easter, he estimated that we will probably be «in a much better situation and better than now». It will possibly be «at a better level than last Easter», he said.
Finally, on the number of deaths in the coming period, he noted that it will depend on the progress of vaccination coverage in the over-60s.
