1. Overview of the Current COVID-19 Wave
The emergence of new Omicron subvariants, Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) and Stratus (XFG), has triggered a slow-moving global summer wave of COVID-19 infections. While official data for Turkey is not available, observations from emergency services indicate a trend of increasing cases that aligns with international patterns.
- Clinical Presentation: The current COVID-19 cases in the 2024-2025 season predominantly manifest as an upper respiratory tract infection.
- Common Symptoms: The most frequently reported symptoms across the new variants include:
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Cough and sneezing
- Fever or chills
- Headache and muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Digestive issues (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting)
- Occasional loss of taste or smell
- Global Trends: Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States show rising test positivity and emergency service visits among sensitive populations, including children and the elderly. However, this increase has not yet reached levels that would strain hospital capacity.