A new look: Scientists warn against the re-use of masks

The new subspecies has so far only been found in Denmark and Israel, but has an astounding and alarming level of mutation, according to scientists. According to Trisha Greenhalgh, an expert in primary health care at the University of Oxford, it is critical that people go back to wearing masks to prevent the variant from spreading. On Twitter, she said: “Different science WhatsApp groups are moving. Genetic clips and pedigree charts are flying back and forth. I only understand a few of the details, but it looks like it’s time to put the masks back on.”

“It was too early,” Professor Christina Pagel, a mathematician at University College London and a full member of the Independent Sage group, said on the social media platform, but admitted that the variant has “many new mutations that make it different from previous strains of Omicron”. She added that this meant that she would “potentially be more capable of making a big splash”.

Calls for people to resume wearing masks have risen across the United States in recent days amid a 12% increase in coronavirus-related hospitalizations.

The health authorities in Brazil have not yet commented on the new alternative or the use of masks. But as with other variants of COVID, the risk of serious illness remains greater for those who are older or have significant underlying health problems – and care should be prioritized in this age group.

Read also: COVID-19: Uerj study shows vaccine safety in young adults

The guideline, in light of the Eris variant and BA.6, is for people to remain immune to defend themselves against future waves of COVID-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says it continues to evaluate the impact of new strains on vaccine performance so it can make decisions about updates to the immunization formula.

* Interned with editor Elaine Christie.