During a
, the infection rate is much higher since natural selection causes the virus to mutate over time to adapt and expand its contagion capacity in the places where it is, said Alvaro Bejarano —a pulmonologist at the COVID Room of Edgardo Rebagliati Hospital in Lima.
The physician emphasized that this situation translates into a greater number of infected people, adding that 80% will be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, while 14% will need hospitalization, 5% will need ICU beds, and 2% will die.
The expert also called on the population to become aware of the seriousness of this pandemic and its repercussion for the population's health.
"That is why it is necessary to insist on the use of a face mask, maintaining physical distance, and washing hands with soap and water," he stressed.
Bejarano argued that a person has a higher risk of suffering from a severe disease if he/she catches COVID-19 in a closed space (such as a dance club) because there is a crowd, people scream, sing, and do not wear face masks.