POLL: Do you think face masks should be reintroduced over the new Covid variant
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the new Eris variant, known as EG.5, a strain of “interest” after it was reported in 51 countries - and we want to know what you think.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), EG.5 is now the second most prevalent variant in the UK and the most common in the US, with Eris making up 20.6 percent of new Covid cases in the States.
It comes as concerns over the new Covid variant has sparked an earlier roll out of the flu and coronavirus jabs. See if you're eligible here.
Figures from The Zoe Health Study suggest that estimated Covid cases in the UK jumped by almost 200,000 last month, from 606,656 predicted cases on 4 July to 785,980 on 27 July. As of 4 August, the variant is thought to represent one in seven UK infections, reports the UK Health Security Agency.
Yale Medicine infectious diseases specialist Scott Roberts, MD says he’s “not aware of data that suggests EG.5 leads to worse cases of COVID-19 compared to prior variants,” but early reports have shown that the variant has been spreading faster than any other currently circulating strain.
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The expert highlighted that the mutation can potentially evade some of the immunity acquired after an infection or vaccination, he said: “Similar to all variants that have arisen, there is some extra degree of immune evasiveness because of a slight difference in genotype.”
Mark Faghy, associate professor in respiratory physiology at the University of Derby, recommended wearing masks in busy public spaces and on public transport, however, he believed the chances of a return to mandatory mask wearing were “slim”.
He said: “COVID-19 is an airborne virus but for transmission from one to another to occur there needs to be people in close proximity to each other.Indoor spaces with low-quality ventilation and where people congregate represents an opportunity for the virus to pass from one individual to another.”
The professor added: “Wearing masks in crowded places like shopping centres and supermarkets, or in places where you are likely to be for a prolonged period with little movement, such as theatres and cinemas, would reduce the risk.”
He also warned that the Eris strain had been linked to cases of long Covid, as descendants from Omicron have been “linked to a higher prevalence of persistent symptoms in the following months”. Mark said this is “an argument for taking steps to reduce transmission”.
Do you think face masks should be reintroduced over the new variant? Vote in our poll to have your say.
Let us know which couple you voted for and why in the comments section below.
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