"The BA.5 strain is not only the most transmissible strain known, but the latest research has found that it has stronger immune evasion and repeated infection capabilities than previous strains. . The new strain BA.5 has been The epidemic in South Africa, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Israel and other countries is likely to set off a new round of epidemic peaks globally, and my country is facing greater pressure from foreign imports.” On July 7, , an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Zhang Boli told the People's Daily Health Client reporter.
7 On July 6, Beijing conducted genetic sequencing on infected persons 1 to 3 reported on the 5th, and the results showed that the viruses all belonged to the BA.5.2 branch of the Omicron mutant strain.
Previously, Xi'an's press conference on the prevention and control of the new coronavirus epidemic introduced that the virus infected by this round of epidemic is the BA.5.2 branch of the Omicron mutant strain. Based on the epidemiological investigation of , it is initially considered that the source comes from abroad.
Academician Zhang Boli said, "A new epidemic has recently appeared in Xi'an, which has initiated the most stringent epidemic prevention measures after this year's Spring Festival. It has been confirmed that the virus causing the epidemic in Xi'an is a new variant of the new coronavirus - strain BA.5, which is also considered The most transmissible strain at present. The latest research results in South Africa show that the R0 value of the BA.5 strain is as high as 18.6, which is the most transmissible virus currently known. It has recently triggered a new round of epidemic in Beijing. The virus gene sequencing results show that it is also from BA.5, which means that the BA.5 strain has been introduced into our country and caused local spread. This new epidemic situation requires great attention. "
About the new coronavirus strain BA.5. In terms of epidemic prevention measures, Academician Zhang Boli put forward five suggestions in an interview:
First, those who are in close contact with the BA.5 strain should take traditional Chinese medicine for prevention as early as possible, and the accessibility advantage of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of new coronavirus pneumonia should be fully utilized.
Traditional Chinese medicine plays the role of "strengthening the body and dispelling evil" in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. It does not directly target the virus, but regulates the body's immune function and mobilizes its own disease resistance to fight against the virus. It defeats the virus and protects tissues and organs to reduce damage, giving full play to the unique advantages and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine in treating diseases before they occur, syndrome differentiation and multi-target intervention.
We should make full use of preventive measures of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and control of the new crown epidemic. For people in close contact and people with high-risk factors, we should give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in " treating diseases before they are " to build the first line of defense against the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic. The second line of defense is of great value and provides the public with another layer of protection in addition to vaccines.
Second, it is recommended to popularize nucleic acid antigen testing to deal with the spread of new strains.
The new variant strain is highly contagious. In some grassroots areas that do not have the ability to detect nucleic acid, or for some people with a relatively high risk of infection, uses antigen testing, which does not require specialized laboratories and complex instruments. Get results in less time. can move the threshold of early detection forward, saving a lot of time and manpower for subsequent precise prevention and control.
However, antigen testing cannot replace nucleic acid testing. When the antigen test is positive, nucleic acid testing must be done for confirmation.
The third is to comprehensively increase the vaccination rate for the entire population, especially the elderly.
Faced with the new situation of new strains, the vaccination rate of the elderly group is not high, and the number of infected people is relatively small, making them a relatively high-risk group. BA.5 has a strong ability to break through the infection, and the protective barrier effect of the full vaccination is weakened, but it still has a definite effect in reducing the severe disease rate and mortality rate.
New coronavirus vaccine has always been an important means of epidemic prevention and control, and has obvious effects in preventing severe illness and death. The epidemics in Hong Kong and Shanghai have demonstrated the importance of vaccination. We hope that the elderly, especially those with underlying medical conditions, will actively take the COVID-19 vaccine.
The fourth is to strengthen the communication and traceability work.
We must respond to changes and use speed to control speed, carry out traceability and flow control more strictly, strive to trace the source faster and more accurately, ensure that no close contacts and sub-close contacts are missed, and focus on the control of high-risk groups.Identify the chain of epidemic transmission as soon as possible, detect early, isolate and treat early, and block further spread of the epidemic.
Fifth, it is recommended that people not travel to medium- and high-risk areas.
We must plug loopholes, adhere to strict "foreign import prevention" measures, reflect on which aspects may have loopholes, airport passenger flow and cargo should be diverted domestically and abroad, and parcels and mail from high-risk areas at home and abroad should be properly handled.
For ordinary people, we need to strengthen epidemic prevention education and protect themselves. Summer vacation is the peak tourist season, so strict protective measures must be adhered to. People are especially advised not to travel to medium- and high-risk areas, and tourist attractions and airports need to be extra vigilant.
Source: Health Times
Editor of this issue: Dou Xiaotao
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