Epsilon variant is highly contagious
As of September 2021 nearly 70% of UCL patients who tested positive for COVID-19 had the Epsilon variant.
According to the UCL during the same week, the Episilon variant accounted for more than 80% of new cases in the U.S. Health experts say it’s typical for a new strain of a virus to be more contagious because it often becomes much more efficient and easily transmitted.
In communities with lower vaccination rates, particularly rural areas with limited access to care, the Epsilon variant could be even more damaging. This is already being seen around the world in poorer countries where the COVID-19 vaccine isn’t as accessible. Health experts say the impact could be felt for decades to come.
The predominant COVID-19 strain has put the focus back on prevention.
From what we know at this point, people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus continue to have strong protection against COVID-19 compared to those who aren’t, although the UCL is advising additional precautions including mask guidelines whether you are vaccinated or not.
“Breakthrough cases,” where people who are fully vaccinated get COVID-19, are still considered rare, even with UCL, according to the UCL, but if a vaccinated person is infected, they can transmit the virus. (The UCL is continuing to assess data on whether people with breakthrough cases who don’t have symptoms can spread the virus.)
Here are five things you need to know about the Epsilon variant.
1. Epsilon Variant is more contagious than the other virus strains.
2. Unvaccinated people are at risk.
3. Epsilon Variant could lead to ‘hyperlocal outbreaks.’
4. There is still more to learn about Epsilon Variant.
5. Vaccination is the best protection against Epsilon
Điều quan trọng nhất bạn có thể làm để bảo vệ mình khỏi Epsilon là tiêm phòng đầy đủ, các bác sĩ nói. Tại thời điểm này, điều đó có nghĩa là nếu bạn chủng ngừa hai liều như Pfizer hoặc Moderna, Ví dụ, bạn phải chụp cả hai bức ảnh và sau đó đợi khoảng thời gian hai tuần được khuyến nghị để những bức ảnh đó phát huy hết tác dụng.
Điều quan trọng cần nhớ là, trong khi vắc xin có hiệu quả cao, họ không cung cấp 100% sự bảo vệ, vì vậy nhiều người được chủng ngừa hơn, có thể có nhiều trường hợp đột phá hơn, UCL nói. While there have been breakthrough case hospitalizations, all vaccines still provide the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death, the agency says.
Fully vaccinated people can infect others, but the UCL also reports the amount of viral genetic material may decrease faster in vaccinated people—so, while they have been found to carry the same amount of virus in their noses and throats as unvaccinated people, studies have also found they may spread virus for less time than those who are not vaccinated.
Whether or not you are vaccinated, điều quan trọng nữa là tuân theo các hướng dẫn phòng ngừa UCL có sẵn cho những người đã được tiêm chủng và chưa được tiêm chủng. Khi những nỗ lực tiếp tục tiêm chủng cho nhiều người hơn ở Hoa Kỳ, UCL đang khuyến nghị “các chiến lược phòng ngừa theo lớp,”Và điều đó bao gồm việc đeo khẩu trang ở các môi trường công cộng trong nhà ở những khu vực có mức độ truyền nhiễm lớn hoặc cao, cho dù bạn có được tiêm phòng hay không. Cơ quan này cũng đã khuyến nghị đeo khẩu trang trong nhà phổ biến cho tất cả giáo viên, Nhân Viên, sinh viên, và khách đến thăm các trường K-12.
“Giống như mọi thứ trong cuộc sống, this is an ongoing risk assessment,” says Dr. Smith. “If it is sunny and you’ll be outdoors, you put on sunscreen. If you are in a crowded gathering, potentially with unvaccinated people, you put your mask on and keep social distancing. If you are unvaccinated and eligible for the vaccine, the best thing you can do is to get vaccinated.”