Marina Pollán: "Drawing conclusions from this small rebound in covid is premature"

Marina Pollán, director of the National Epidemiology Center of the Carlos III Health Institute of Madrid, presented this Wednesday at the Ateneo of the School of Engineering and Architecture (Eina) of the University of Zaragoza the National Sero-Epidemiological Study, which served to describe the first two epidemic waves in Spain.

-The current situation forces me to ask you about the rebound in covid cases that they are registering. Will there be another wave soon?

-It is premature to draw conclusions from this small rebound. It must be taken into account that the surveillance data we have is not complete because some rapid antigen tests that are performed are not counted. We are also now entering a transition period with changes in the ability to collect data that may create some disruption. We would have to wait for the upward trend to consolidate to talk about a rebound as such.

-The study that was presented yesterday was based on the first two waves, but now we have seven in the case of Aragón. Surprised?

-At that time the pandemic began and we had very little information, but we managed to do a very relevant study because we learned many things. We obviously didn't expect more variants to emerge so quickly nor did we believe the vaccine would be available so soon. When they said it would be in less than a year, it seemed impossible to me.

-Its study allowed, among other things, to characterize the asymptomatic.

-That's how it is. An epidemiologist once told me that this study was a gift from Spain to the world because we were the first to put on the table a document with a representation of so many things and information. Now, with more perspective, it is easy to see that things were missing after everything that has happened, but at the time it was something very relevant.

-He came to office in 2019 and shortly after the pandemic broke out. What a premiere...

-(laughs) I had a very intense arrival. If he had known the pandemic was coming, he would not have accepted the position. That said, all the people at the center have worked very hard, as have all the health workers. We were dedicated and I can say that it gives me satisfaction.

-When are you in favor of removing the mask indoors?

-As long as we are not sure that the incidence is not increasing and returns to very low levels, we must be cautious. We still don't know what will happen, there are still many uncertainties.

-His brother was vice-rector and professor at the University of Zaragoza. What does it mean to return to the city?

-As I got off the AVE and went up the station ramp, I remembered him, who always came to look for me. He established his life here and taught us to love Zaragoza. It is a city that I will always carry in my heart.

Source: University of Zaragoza