Covid-19: how to protect against variants?

Variant detected in England, South African variant, then Indian variant, the Covid-19 virus mutates without any surprise. Indeed, its mutations follow a natural path, simply to ensure its survival. What worries the health authorities is above all linked to the transmission of these variants, which is faster than that of the original virus.

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The Covid-19 virus, which the territory experienced in March 2020, is gradually giving way to other mutant viruses. These are detrimental to humans since they are more virulent, sometimes more dangerous and more resistant. Hence the warnings from the authorities to protect themselves from it.

What are the authorities' recommendations?

Before guaranteeing the total effectiveness of vaccines against the Covid-19 virus, certain established recommendations must be continued. The High Authority for Health (HAS) recommends the continuation of local measures. Indeed, some regions record the presence of certain variants to greater or lesser degrees. Thus, on the national territory, the presence of the English variant is predominant and in Overseas, the South African and Indian variants represent more than half of the cases.

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Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and those around you. Nevertheless, respect for barrier gestures has remained essential since the start of the epidemic. If they remain the same, they must however be adjusted: wash your hands, do not shake hands, do not kiss, keep two meters apart instead of the one meter previously recommended. As for the wearing of protections, it is the category 1 mask which is highly recommended!

The more the coronavirus is transmitted, the greater the risk of mutation. Its variants are more virulent and contagious. © sosiukin, Adobe Stock

What mask types are recommended against variants?

The variants named B.1.1.7 (English variant), B.1.351 (South African variant) and P1 (Brazilian variant) are contagious faster. The High Health Authority (HAS) has revised its recommendations regarding their contagion and the wearing of a mask.

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The FFP2 mask, which protects against the risk of inhalation of infectious agents transmissible by air, is composed of a facepiece and a filtration device; if it was adopted in neighboring countries such as Austria and in southern Germany last January, it is however not compulsory in France. Nevertheless, the arrival of variants has seen the use of surgical masks and category 1 masks (filtering more than 90% of particles) become compulsory in certain places, in particular at school. Category 2 masks and homemade ones are no longer recommended, they indeed filter “only” 70% of particles, an insufficient capacity for more transmissible variants.

To avoid any risk of contamination, the most reliable thing is to choose certified or patented masks such as the Cidaltex® medical masks manufactured by BioSerenity. For certain reliability, each Cidaltex ® mask is designed using a technology that has undergone strict tests: evaluation of safety, antiviral and antibacterial effectiveness at 99.99% of the filtration and decontamination layer.

It remains to be seen whether the recommendations that we know will have to be modified in the event of an upsurge or reduction in the virus and its variants.

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Article produced in partnership with the BioSerenity teams

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