“For nearly two months, we have had a steady increase in cases of COVID-19. For the last week, they have jumped by 50% on a weekly basis,” said the director of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Prof. Iva Hristova, in “This Morning”.
“Nothing unusual is happening. In October we will have a lot of promotion. We see the mutability of the virus – new genetic mutations. Subvariant XBB.1.6 is already in Bulgaria. The vaccines that are coming in now are based on XBB.1.5, and we are also seeing its variants in our country,” Hristova added.
According to her, there is no change with the clinical picture.
“This is Omicron. Mainly with fever, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, cough, runny nose, sneezing. COVID-19 is a serious illness and cannot be cured in a day or two. The complications remain. We must be tested in order to be able to take measures,” said Hristova.
She emphasized that restrictive measures are highly recommended.
Hristova also commented on whether we should be vaccinated again if we have already had two or three doses.
“Immunity declines. This memory remains in the cellular memory of T-lymphocytes, so upon a new encounter with the virus, this part of the immune system must be activated. Neutralizing antibodies decline,” she added.
According to her, the first cases of flu are expected in December because the peak is January and February.
