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The teacher Fabrizio Pregliasco is the current medical director of the IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute in Milan, as well as an accredited researcher in general and applied hygiene at the University of the Lombard capital.
Professor, should we be concerned about this variant of the virus?
“It’s a nice Christmas present, we just needed this one. As far as we know, this new virus increases its ability to spread, transmissibility, by 70%, so the infection can spread more quickly. With regard to the disease, so far there has been no variation in the effects, neither the severity nor the mortality seem to increase.
Can you explain how it is most contagious?
«This variant increases the replicated capacity which has higher values than the current R0 (the transmissibility index, ed) which is 2.5. It has a wider transmissibility ”.
Could this make it necessary to protect ourselves in another way?
“No, in that sense no, we have to continue using the usual measures: masks, spacers and disinfectant. Nothing changes”.
So are the usual surgical masks enough too?
“Yes, definitely.”
Rumor has it that he can escape antibodies?
‘From the first information it seems that vaccines should work anyway, but we need more robust data. However, it is possible that monoclonal antibodies are less effective. “
And who has already had the virus, at least in the first months, is still immune?
“On this we must also wait for more information. The precautionary principle must always be upheld.
The government has blocked flights from Great Britain, a correct move?
“Yes, to date the presence of this variant has been identified in London, in the south-east of England, and the blockade is necessary to prevent this spread from growing and reaching Italy. As far as we know, it has also emerged in some areas of Europe such as Holland and Denmark, as well as another variant in Australia.
As for vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna using mRna technology are easier to upgrade to possibly counter the mutation.
To date it does not seem necessary, but if this need arises, it sure does.
And the others? AstraZeneca, for example, uses other technology.
«I believe that today there is the possibility of moving forward, I would see it positively: today there is a great capacity for molecular research that did not exist in the past. We have an extraordinary opportunity to react.
Returning to Italy, the curve no longer goes down as before.
“The type of measures we used did everything possible, it was still something important, we managed to flatten the curve.”
How do you judge the measurements for Christmas?
“At this necessary point, we hope they can give the curve a shot.”
Do you think it will be necessary to go beyond January 6?
“The tighter the lock, the more effective it is, however, it becomes difficult to implement in the long term. We must insist, there is a trend towards improvement and this effort during the holidays will certainly help ».
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Last updated: Monday, December 21, 2020, 09:48
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