On February 28, the seminar The new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus under review organized by the Chair of Infectious Diseases and VIH Miguel Hernandez University, and in which professors from the Department of Clinical Medicine of the Miguel Hernandez University of Elche.

Conclusions of the professors of the Department of Clinical Medicine UMH in the seminar The New SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus under examination

The specialists who participated in the seminar wanted to make clear two main ideas:

• the province’s preparation against the virus
• and the advantages of the arrival of heat to stop the effects of the coronavirus. 

First of all, they guaranteed that the province of Alicante is fully prepared with action protocols that they aim not to repeat the same crisis that has been experienced in China. 

One of the protocols that has been implemented in the province is the home care. Health personnel go to the patient’s home to carry out the pertinent tests, so that the risk to the outside is minimized. In addition, an information number has been enabled to request information: 900 300 555 

«In most cases, treatment is symptomatic. It is a contagious virus but, unlike the two outbreaks that occurred in 2002 and 2012, its mortality is much lower», said the UMH professor Mar Masiá, one of the organizers of the seminar, together with the professor Félix Gutiérrez. 

Secondly, another of the main axes of the seminar was the rise in temperatures and the arrival of spring as a brake on the coronavirus

La responsable de la sección de Infectious Diseases of the General Hospital of Elche and professor of the Department of Clinical Medicine of the UMH stressed that «with the arrival of good weather and rising temperatures, the incidence of respiratory viruses is much lower». «A great alarm has been generated by the excess of information, but panic is not justified. We are facing a new infection and protection measures are key. The main symptoms are cough and fever», said Mar Masiá. 

Along with the organizers of the seminar “The new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus under examination”, other professors such as Victoria Ortiz de la Tabla, Sergio Padilla and Javier García Abellán. 

During the course of the seminar, professorPadilla spoke of the transmission of the coronavirus, and of the doubts that are being raised for the future. 

«In countries such as Algeria, Ethiopia or Nigeria, the epidemic is expected to be greater because, apart from having fewer health facilities, they have a large commercial relationship with China.», claimed. 

Padilla also provided data on the hypotheses that are currently being considered: 

«For each infected, the virus is transmitted to two or three more people. What is worrying is that there are affected people who have not had symptoms and have been able to eliminate the virus, which increases the risk. Coronavirus is not expressing itself the same in Asians as in Europeans, which causes its evolution to be different depending on the area”.

On the other hand, Doctor García talked about the differences between the virus and the disease. He also said coughing, fever and shortness of breath are the main symptoms of coronavirus.

On the other hand, Diario Información, did ainterview with Dr. Felix Gutierrez, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Director of the Department of Clinical Medicine at UMH. He wanted to make it clear that there is no need to fall into alarmism but also to carefreeness. 

In the interview he talked about what is known so far from the new coronavirus, of its fast expansion around the world, about whether or not we are prepared in Spain and about the usefulness of masks, among other issues. He also talked about the at-risk population, and whether it can really disappear with the advent of heat, as with SARS-1: 

“Summer is not good for any virus, although it is not always the case. SARS 1 subsided in June and disappeared, that is what is expected and desirable, although it is risky to make forecasts. What happened to SARS 1 was an enigma because with the same virulence that appeared, it disappeared. But that epidemic did not reach very weakened health systems that could pose a greater risk by increasing its consequences and prolonging the duration of the epidemic”. 

If you want to read the full interview, you can do it at this link.
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