Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Aug 22, 2025

'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.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Dogfights in the Skies: Airbus on Track to Overtake Boeing and Claim Aviation Supremacy
Tim Cook Promises an AI Revolution at Apple: "One of the Most Significant Technologies of Our Generation"
Are AI Data Centres the Infrastructure of the Future or the Next Crisis?
Miles Worth Billions: How Airlines Generate Huge Profits
Zelenskyy Returns to White House Flanked by European Allies as Trump Pressures Land-Swap Deal with Putin
Beijing is moving into gold and other assets, diversifying away from the dollar
Trump Backs Putin’s Land-for-Peace Proposal Amid Kyiv’s Rejection
Zelenskyy to Visit Washington after Trump–Putin Summit Yields No Agreement
Iranian Protection Offers Chinese Vehicle Shipments a Cost Advantage over Japanese and Korean Makers
United States Sells Luxury Yacht Amadea, Valued at Approximately $325 Million, in First Sale of a Seized Russian Yacht Since the Invasion of Ukraine
Saudi Arabia accelerates renewables to curb domestic oil use
Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez announce engagement
Asia-Pacific dominates world’s busiest flight routes, with South Korea’s Jeju–Seoul corridor leading global rankings
Private Welsh island with 19th-century fort listed for sale at over £3 million
Sam Altman challenges Elon Musk with plans for Neuralink rival
Australia to Recognize the State of Palestine at UN Assembly
The Collapse of the Programmer Dream: AI Experts Now the Real High-Earners
Armenia and Azerbaijan to Sign US-Brokered Framework Agreement for Nakhchivan Corridor
British Labour Government Utilizes Counter-Terrorism Tools for Social Media Monitoring Against Legitimate Critics
WhatsApp Deletes 6.8 Million Scam Accounts Amid Rising Global Fraud
Texas Residents Face Water Restrictions While AI Data Centers Consume Millions of Gallons
India Rejects U.S. Tariff Threat, Defends Russian Oil Purchases
United States Establishes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile
Thousands of Private ChatGPT Conversations Accidentally Indexed by Google
China Tightens Mineral Controls, Curtailing Critical Inputs for Western Defence Contractors
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Germany’s Economic Breakdown and the Return of Militarization: From Industrial Collapse to a New Offensive Strategy
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Germany Seeks Taliban Deal to Deport Afghan Migrants
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
×