As health officials continue to eradicate cases of coronavirus variants across the country, Americans can take several steps to protect themselves from infection.
On Friday, several mutant strains of the virus were confirmed in the United States, including those initially detected in South Africa, Brazil and the United Kingdom, as well as a local strain in California linked to major outbreaks in counties and more than a third of cases in Los Angeles, the researchers say.
These strains have been of great concern because they include mutations along the spike protein on the virus’s surface, which is used to infect cells. Experts have expressed concerns that the mutant strains will decrease the effectiveness of vaccines, as the launch of the long-awaited jabs continues worldwide.
PEOPLE WITH UNITED KINGDOM CORONAVIRUS VARIANT MORE Likely to REPORT THESE SYMPTOMS: SEARCH
Early results suggest that vaccines will remain effective against strains, although the South African strain, in particular, has reduced effectiveness. For example, new findings from Novavax reveal that its vaccine is 89% against COVID-19 disease, but has dropped to 60% among trial volunteers in South Africa. Including volunteers with HIV, general protection against the South African variant. Africa was 49%, the company said.
However, the guidance of health authorities remains the same.
“We know that even as we work hard to defeat COVID-19, the virus continues to evolve like all viruses,” said Jan Malcolm, Minnesota Health Commissioner, in a press release when the state confirmed the first cases in the US this variant week. “This is another reason why we want to limit the transmission of COVID-19 – the fewer people who get COVID-19, the fewer opportunities the virus will have to evolve.”
JOHNSON & JOHNSON COVID-19 66% EFFECTIVE VACCINE IN GLOBAL TESTING, THE COMPANY SAYS
“The good news is that we can slow the spread of this variant and all variants of COVID-19 using the tried and tested prevention methods of wearing masks, maintaining social distance, staying at home when you’re sick and taking the test when appropriate. “
The new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Rochelle Walensky, reiterated on Friday that the first two cases of the South African variant announced Thursday in South Carolina were between two people who had not travel history and did not know each other, suggesting that tension is circulating in the community.
Although there is still much unknown about the mutant strains and scientists are working to respond to responses such as impacts on vaccine transmission, virulence and effectiveness, experts say that a comfortable fit is among the most important factors when considering a coronavirus face mask. .
MAKE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
As more variant cases are identified, experts are studying whether using two masks instead of one can offer even more protection. The CDC is currently studying the effectiveness of double masks – specifically a cloth mask placed over a medical mask – in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, but it still lacks “hard data” to support whether it would be better than wearing a single mask, he said. .
Walensky told NBC “Today” on Friday that 59% of Americans are wearing masks now. According to the CDC, the masks should have two layers of breathable fabric, with a comfortable fit covering the nose and mouth.
Alexandria Hein and Madeline Farber of Fox News contributed to this report.