Wojciech Konieczny: we are recording more severe pneumonia in the course of COVID-19

- The pandemic should teach us something, namely responsibility for ourselves and others. If we feel bad, have a runny nose, cough, feel that we may have a fever, we should put on this mask. Let's not be ashamed of it," said Wojciech Konieczny.

As he added, the epidemic situation is unlikely to require the imposition of any restrictions. Importantly, doctors note that currently, outbreaks of COVID-19 are associated with a much more severe course than they were a year ago. However, it is also not as bad as it was when the pandemic took its most dramatic turn.

- People who are immunocompromised and have comorbidities may feel more at risk. However, the increase in illnesses does not indicate that we are facing a situation that will be so bad that the health care system cannot cope. We predict the peak of the surge in mid-October," the deputy health minister said.

The increase in the number of cases has accelerated in recent weeks, he added, and is now at the level it was in mid-July last year.

- We are seeing a shift over time. It looks like COVID-19 is becoming a disease that is less seasonal and more dependent on population flows between outbreaks. It probably matters more at this point than the season," he pointed out.

This shift could be a positive factor from the point of view of the health care system. It will ensure that the peaks in COVID-19 cases do not overlap in time with those associated with influenza and RS virus. The current COVID-19 wave is expected to culminate in mid-October.

Meanwhile, the last vaccines of the current generation are now available. Those updated to the latest mutations are yet to be ordered. Their deliveries are unlikely to arrive until October.

- We are making efforts so that already some quantities will appear in September," announced Wojciech Konieczny.