Americans told to wear face masks again as new Covid mutation sees cases surge

24 August 2023 , 16:13

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At risk Americans are urged to wear face masks once again (Image: AP)

People at high risk from Covid infection are being urged to wear masks again as US authorities detect a resurgence in the virus with a new variant spreading and hospitalisations increasing.

The new coronavirus variant, BA 2.86, has been detected in the US and the UK, with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finding it is routine monitoring of waste water.

The variant has a large number of mutations, the CDC warns, and it is feared it could evade immunity, whether from vaccines or prior Covid infections, better than previous mutations.

Hospitalisations for Covid infection in the US have increased - but it is unclear whether this variant would cause an increase and it is believed current treatments for Covid-19 wll still work against it. And the CDC said it is too soon to know whether it will lead to more serious illness compared to other variants.

BA 2.86, has been detected in the US and the UK (National Institutes of Health/AF)

But one top doctor has warned high-risk persons should be especially cautious - including 80-year-old US President Joe Biden.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Cardiologist Dr Jonathan Reiner told CNN: "Octogenarians comprise the highest-risk group for complications following Covid infection. At least until the numbers start to drop again, it would be appropriate for President Biden to take some precautions and wear a mask in crowds.”

And Dr Robert Wachter, who chairs the University of California San Francisco’s department of medicine, agreed. He remarked that the soaring rates of Covid cases highlighted the importance of bringing back personal precautions.

One top doctor has warned high-risk persons should be especially cautious (Getty Images)

He told the news outlet: “Hospitalisations have not yet doubled, but I think they probably will, as the numbers lag a couple of weeks behind. It’s riskier that you will get infected now than it was a month or two ago, without question, probably twice as risky. If you’re trying to be careful, it’s time to whip out the mask again.

“In addition, most people haven’t gotten a booster for a while, so the collective immunity is lower than it was six months ago. The virus sees that and sees most faces and noses and mouths are uncovered and unprotected, so it takes advantage of that opportunity.”

(AP)

Meanwhile, some areas and venues have already brought back mask mandates, with the San Francisco Chronicle reporting that a big San Francisco, California-area healthcare facility has brought back a mask mandate for people on their premises. While Syracuse.com reported two major hospitals in upstate New York resumed mandatory masking last week. And Morris Brown College has reinstated a two-week mask mandate and ban on parties or big events.

The school told CBS News: "There will be no parties or large student events on campus for the next two weeks."

BA.2.86 was classified as a "variant under monitoring" last week by the World Health Organisation (Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The college is also asking students who test positive for Covid to isolate for at least five days and to attend class virtually while in isolation. The latest CDC data shows that Covid hospitalisations are up 30% across Georgia, driven by the spread of new variants.

And the Hollywood Film Studio Lionsgate is ordering staff to wear masks at its Santa Monica office.

Joseph Wilkes