Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

'20% of Covid-19 patients develop severe symptoms'; obesity and smoking are a risk factor

'20% of Covid-19 patients develop severe symptoms'; obesity and smoking are a risk factor

Approximately 20% of Covid-19 disease patients develop severe symptoms. A statement made by the specialist in internal medicine and cardiologist Jorge Motta at the 'Café con La Prensa' entitled "The Other Face of Covid-19", in which the pulmonologist Bruno Hammerschlag also participated.
"80% of cases come from 20% of those infected [...] This clearly illustrates why we should avoid closed spaces with many people," said Motta.

"That is one of Covid's problems: I have no symptoms, but I am already developing the virus," added Dr. Hammerschlag.

In Panama, until the night of June 16, 21,962 infected people had been reported, of whom 457 have died. The Rt increased in a week from 1.44 to 1.58, and the case fatality rate is approximately 2.5%.

Motta pointed out that there is an increase in cases since last May 26. She did not specify the causes, but as of those dates, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) increased the number of tests. There is also the fact that block 1 of the economic revival plan was launched on May 13; Block 2 was reactivated on June 1.

Hammerschlag indicated that Covid-19 can be a "catastrophic" disease in anyone, but the risk has been classified into three types: high, medium, and low.

At high risk are people over 65 years of age or with chronic lung diseases, asthma, cerebrovascular, liver or kidney diseases, as well as smokers or obese. The population aged between 20 and 64 years, with none of the comorbidities, is at moderate risk, and those under 20 years of age, without comorbidities, are at low risk, although it was highlighted that young smokers (tobacco or electronic cigarette) have medium risk. "This is something that has not been given great relevance," he said.

“This is the most interesting group: the pelao who is 15 years old, but smokes electronic cigarettes. It is not at mild risk, but at moderate risk, "she added.

Hammerschlag recalled that when the person is infected and does not develop symptoms, they could become "contagious", as is the case of pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic.

Hammerschlag recalled that it is not known why there are infected that do not develop symptoms and emphasized that with this virus one is always in a learning stage.

He also emphasized that antibody screening tests, such as the so-called immunity passport, cannot be used.

Motta, who was director of the Gorgas Commemorative Institute for Health Studies and the National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (Senacyt), stated that in this pandemic, much attention should be paid to social aspects, such as poverty, hunger and ignorance, before implementing isolation or containment measures for the pandemic.

“In the absence of a vaccine until next year, the future is to reduce transmission through selective quarantine, diagnosing, and following up on contacts. Difficult days await us,” said Motta.

However, he recalled that we are dealing with a virus that leaves biological and economic consequences, so to cope with it, it will take “leadership” and “transparency” from the authorities, and support from the population.

Hammerschlag stressed that there are no coronavirus experts in the world, so you have to be humble enough to amend economic and health strategies if required.

The specialist highlighted the work carried out so far by doctors and the advisory team in the face of this pandemic and highlighted the "debt" that the Government has to invest in research and scientific training.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Altman Says GPT-5 Already Outpaces Him, Warns AI Could Automate 40% of Work
Russian Research Vessel 'Yantar' Tracked Mapping Europe’s Subsea Cables, Raising Security Alarms
Global Cruise Industry Posts Dramatic Comeback with 34.6 Million Passengers in 2024
U.S. Demands Brussels Scrutinize Digital Rules to Prevent Bias Against American Tech
Private Equity’s Fundraising Surge Triggers Concern of European Market Shake-Out
Tokyo’s Jimbōchō Named World’s Coolest Neighbourhood for 2025
European Officials Fear Trump May Shift Blame for Ukraine War onto EU
The Personality Rights Challenge in India’s AI Era
Italy Considers Freezing Retirement Age at 67 to Avert Scheduled Hike
Italian City to Impose Tax on Visiting Dogs Starting in 2026
Study Finds No Safe Level of Alcohol for Dementia Risk
Trump Says Ukraine Can Fully Restore Borders with NATO Backing
Europe Signals Stronger Support for Taiwan at Major Taipei Defence Show
Germany Weighs Excluding France from Key European Fighter Jet Programme
Cyberattack Disrupts Check-in and Boarding Systems at Major European Airports
Björn Borg Breaks Silence: Memoir Reveals Addiction, Shame and Cancer Battle
When Extremism Hijacks Idealism: How the Baader-Meinhof Gang Emerged and Fell
JWST Data Brings TRAPPIST-1e Closer to Earth-Like Habitability
Trump Orders $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas and Launches ‘Gold Card’ Immigration Pathway
France’s Looming Budget Crisis and Political Fracture Raise Fears of Becoming Europe’s “Sick Man”
Three Russian MiG-31 Jets Breach Estonian Airspace in ‘Unprecedentedly Brazen’ NATO Incident
European manufacturers against ban on polluting cars: "The industry may collapse"
Turkish car manufacturer Togg Enters German Market with 5-Star Electric Sedan and SUV to Challenge European EV Brands
Christian Brueckner Released from German Prison after Serving Unrelated Sentence
World’s Longest Direct Flight China Eastern to Launch 29-Hour Shanghai–Buenos Aires Direct Flight via Auckland in December
New OpenAI Study Finds Majority of ChatGPT Use Is Personal, Not Professional
The conservative right spreads westward: a huge achievement for 'Alternative for Germany' in local elections
Pope Leo Warns of Societal Crisis Over Mega-CEO Pay, Citing Tesla’s Proposed Trillion-Dollar Package
Poland Green-Lights NATO Deployment in Response to Major Russian Drone Incursion
U.S. and China Agree on Framework to Shift TikTok to American Ownership
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
×