The good news, however, is that, in the opinion of the internists, the evolution of those hospitalised is now “less severe”. “It has been a radical change between having the vaccine and not having it”, explained Rodilla.

It also helps that drugs are now beginning to be available to fight severe Covid-19 in its early stages. Also, the latest omicron sublineages of BA.4, and BA.5, appear to be less serious strains. They are already said to be behind at least half of the infections in the Valencian Community, and rising.

This more benign evolution would explain why the intensive care units (ICU) have not yet noticed a particularly notable rebound in this seventh wave. The worsening of Covid-19 patients – and therefore their transfer from the ward to the ICU – is usually delayed.

According to data on Tuesday, July 5, the Valencian ICUs have 41 covid patients admitted. This figure has not changed much since the sixth wave ended its decline in mid-March. Since then it has fluctuated between 29 and 45, but has not gone beyond that for now.

“The figures are contained but slightly rising. For what is probably on the street, the figures are still discreet. The problem is to see if the evolution is for the worse”, reasoned Marisa Blasco, the president of the Valencian Society of Intensive Medicine, and head of the service at the Clinical Hospital of Valencia.

In the ICU wards, the profile also remains unchanged from the latest wave: “all frail, vulnerable people”.

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