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“What annoys me is that the British already knew since September that this variant was in circulation. They were silent, they did not warn us. Now we need the closure. Or at least very severe measures. New Sars-CoV-2 variant is no longer lethal, but it works 70 to 80 percent faster. From the first English data we know that it has three mutations that allow it to better penetrate the nasal mucosa. They are close to the peak protein, but do not appear to alter the protective ability of the vaccine.
English variant of the virus, the couple with the infection in Rome: “For now we are fine”
Ricciardi pessimistic about schools
Professor Walter Ricciardi, an adviser to the Minister of Health, has been repeating for days: it was necessary to close earlier and more. “In these conditions it will be difficult to reopen the schools on January 7. At Christmas there is a risk of a further increase in infections. And the Johnson administration’s announcement on the mutated virus does not support optimism. “Closing flights with the UK is a good measure if all other countries do it. If only one does it, it is not necessary, it must be done throughout Europe.
New English virus already in Rome, a squeeze ready to contain infections
Is it possible that the new English variant is already in Italy as shown by the case found in the Celio hospital in Rome?
“First of all, we regret that the British government has warned us now. Our colleagues in the UK tell us that the mutation will not affect vaccination, but it is true that it causes almost twice the contagion. The pathogenicity is the same, but the virulence is much higher. For a long time I have been preaching the hardest enclosure; now, faced with this new variant that is probably already in Italy, I am afraid that severe closures are inevitable ».
Covid, the passengers of the last plane from Great Britain arrived in Fiumicino
How delicate are the days that await us between Christmas and New Years?
“The problem is not just about these days. We will have months in which we will have to be careful. The Christmas period is special because there are usually more family gatherings and trips. But we must understand that this will be a lasting battle. Now, as in the near future, we will have to be very careful.
English variant Covid, Italy and Europe block flights with Great Britain
Will the measures decided for the Christmas period be enough?
“I don’t think so. From the duration.”
What does that mean?
«The circulation of the virus is intense in our country, the number of infected is high. And experience tells us that in these conditions containment measures last longer. At least a month, a month and a half.
Instead, the deadline is set for January 6.
“In fact, 15 days have passed. Perhaps not even a month would have been enough, but at least Germany and Austria have set limits for 30 days. This is the minimum time to see any effect.
Covid, tampons in Fiumicino for passengers of the last plane from Great Britain
Are we in danger of compromising the reopening of schools scheduled for January 7?
“I really think so. With this circulation of the virus, I don’t think schools can reopen on January 7th.”
Is having intervened with restrictions in the red zone at Christmas a rejection of the “traffic light” system, in the colors of the Regions?
“The ‘traffic light’ system ensures that decisions are based on objective epidemiological data and then related to specific territories. What doesn’t work is the rush with which you change from one color to another. And often yellow is interpreted as green. You have to respect the rules.
We citizens, what must we do to avoid being in an emergency on January 7?
«The vast majority of Italians respect the rules. The problem is that there is a non-marginal minority that allows the virus to circulate. That is why the control system is very important. The vast majority of people are in favor of limiting your movements, to be careful. But there is a minority, around 10-20 percent of the population, who are not willing to change their behavior. If you don’t enforce the rules, you encourage these behaviors. “
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Did you expect such a high daily number of positive cases still around Christmas?
“Absolutely yes. We have known about this virus for almost a year. If you don’t block it immediately, it has an exponential pattern and cases double every two or three days. Then, to go back to previous numbers, at least a month passes a month and a half. Maybe even more. “
On the vaccination front, AstraZeneca’s product authorization is expected in the UK from 27 December. Could this change the scenario also in the European Union and in Italy?
“Look, we had the AstraZeneca data presentation. We know that they have two protocols: one with a “full dose-full dose” that has a protection of around 70 percent, and a “half dose-full dose” at 90, which, however, must be consolidated by a trial phase 3 and will need another months. They could register the first protocol, which in any case would give us another vaccine with significant protection, with many millions of doses.
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Could we think of a double track? Pfizer for the most fragile, AstraZeneca for the youngest?
“We have to study all the official data. But if the AstraZeneca vaccine was still very protective, as it seems, for those under 55, we could just use this strategy. Pifzer and Moderna for the elderly, AstraZeneca, easier to manage and with a very strong production capacity, for the little ones. The important thing is to have more weapons: Johnson & Johnson should be ready in the spring and it is interesting, because it is a single dose.
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