The fourth wave is knocking on the door. The Delta variant is responsible for 95 percent. infections. How further accidents develop depends mainly on the level of immunization, but not only. We should all remember the principles of DDM: hand hygiene, distance and masks. The more that the role of the latter is growing. «The situation has changed. It was changed by the Delta variant »- says the contagious agent Dr. Lidia Stopyra. What exactly is change and what does it mean for us?
- Poland is dominated by the more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus. Greater infectivity means that much less virus is needed to produce symptoms than was the case in previous variants
- In this situation, infection with the coronavirus can occur without direct contact with the sick person. All we need to do is enter the room where the infected person previously stayed without a mask, says Dr. Stopyra
- If we are not vaccinated, infection is almost certain in such a situation – emphasizes the doctor
- When will it be possible to finally forget about the masks? The specialist gives the most important condition
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage.
Monika Mikołajska / Medonet: Recently, Mrs. Doctor said that the rules of DDM applied so far are no longer sufficient. The reason is the much more infectious Delta variant. What exactly has changed?
Dr. Lidia Stopyra, specialist in infectious diseases and paediatrics: In the earlier variants, we talked about the need to keep a distance of 1,5 – 2 meters. We considered this distance to be safe. Especially when it comes to people who may have had COVID-19 asymptomatically (so without sneezing, coughing, etc.). It often happened that when no one was around, people took off their masks. Some even mocked those who still had them on their faces, even though the surroundings were empty. However, the situation has changed. It was changed by the Delta variant.
- COVID-19 symptoms – what are the most common symptoms now?
Now, the infection can occur without close, direct contact with the sick person – it is enough to enter the room where the infected person previously stayed without a mask. If we are not vaccinated, infection is almost certain in this situation.
In general, the risk is greater the smaller or tighter the interior we are in. I mean especially elevators, staircases and corridors. Therefore, in such situations, remember to have this mask.
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It all boils down to the fact that the Delta mutation is much more contagious. How to understand?
The greater infectivity of the Delta mutation means that much less virus is needed to induce symptoms than was the case in previous variants. Because remember that with a minimum amount of infectious material, our immune system can handle it. However, if we cross this border, it is too much for him – symptoms appear, we start to get sick.
The risk of infection increases if we stay within 1,5 meters of an infected person for more than 15 minutes – as we used to say. Today we know that this time has significantly shortened or – as I mentioned earlier – that for infection in general, the presence of a sick person is not necessary. All we have to do is enter the room where she left infectious material. Of course, before that, the sick person also left viruses behind. At that time, however, this amount was not enough to develop the disease. Today, unfortunately, yes.
We should not let go of the other rules of the sanitary regime, i.e. hand disinfection and keeping distance …
Absolutely yes. They protect us all the time.
Let us also recall to what extent these principles ensure our security. Especially now that the Delta variant is the dominant one
When we examined outbreaks of infection with the earlier variants, we saw that where people wore masks (correctly), no infection was reported. This was even the case when these people stayed together for a long time. Infections arose where this requirement was neglected or, for example, masks were removed to eat together.
The effectiveness of the masks has also been shown by studies at our infectious diseases ward. As the risk grew, we had the tests performed immediately. There was a time when we were tested very often. These studies confirmed that single infections occurred where masks were removed.
When will we be able to finally give up the masks without compromising our safety?
We will be able to talk about removing the masks when we have over 90 percent. people immunized against COVID-19, i.e. convalescents and vaccinated. If we estimate the current convalescents at 10-20 percent, we should have 70-80 percent vaccinated. population. Meanwhile, after the full vaccination cycle, we have less than 50 percent.
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