The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly around the world.
Announcement that XEC variant of novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is derived from Omicron strains KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 Dr. Francesca TorrianiDoctor of Medicine, infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Diego. XEC was first detected in Europe earlier this year and has now reached the United States. “We anticipate that this could be the next dominant variant,” she says.
As health officials prepare for a potential increase in coronavirus cases this fall, we asked experts to answer some frequently asked questions. From understanding how COVID-19 spreads to what precautions you should take to protect yourself from the virus, here’s what you need to know.
How is the new coronavirus transmitted?
So far, the XEC variant is understood to behave similarly to other virus strains, Torriani said.
“The main route of transmission is through respiratory particles,” so you’re most likely to get infected with COVID-19 if you’re around someone who has the virus, Torriani said. say.
When an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes, infectious particles The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says respiratory fluid droplets can be dispersed into the air. If these particles are inhaled through the nose or mouth or come into contact with the eyes, “the virus can enter the body,” Torriani said.
According to the EPA, COVID-19 particles can linger in the air, so transmission of the virus is still possible at distances greater than 6 feet. Dr. Nezar Durdar, a hospitalist at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, said coronavirus particles can remain airborne for minutes to hours, depending on ventilation conditions.
How long does the coronavirus survive on surfaces?
Although surface transmission of the coronavirus is possible, it is less likely than infection through inhalation of infected respiratory particles. Live viruses can’t survive long on surfaces because “viruses need a host to really be effective,” Durdal explained. “In order to multiply and spread, it needs to be present in the human body.”
If you touch a surface contaminated with live COVID-19 droplets and then touch your nose, eyes, or mouth, “you’ll pick up the virus from the surface and transfer it to your mucous membranes, where it can enter your system.” ” says Dardal.
“On surfaces like glass, tabletops, and steel, the virus can remain outside the human body for anywhere from one day to about four or five days, depending on the degree of porosity,” Durdal says. of the virus can survive According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can last up to 1 day on cardboard surfaces and up to 4 days on wooden surfaces.
Even if I am infected with the new coronavirus, can I live with someone who is not infected?
Durdal said it’s possible to live in close contact with someone infected with the coronavirus and be exposed to the virus, but not necessarily infected. It “will depend on the person’s immune system, the variant itself, and also the person’s hygiene habits,” he says.
If you live close to someone infected with the new coronavirus, the key to avoiding infection is to be proactive. “If people wash their hands frequently, disinfect their hands, wipe their bodies, [disinfecting] If it’s on a surface, you have a much better chance of avoiding infection,” Durdal says.
How to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection
Durdal said washing your hands, wearing a mask and frequently disinfecting surfaces are simple measures that can limit your potential exposure to COVID-19.
She also stressed that it’s important to stay up-to-date on the coronavirus vaccine, especially if you have a weakened immune system or are over 65 years old.
There are questions about whether the latest coronavirus vaccines provide protection against XEC. The latest vaccines target the circulating Omicron variant, “providing coverage as well. [decrease] There is a risk of complications for those who become infected,” Torriani said.
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Additional precautions against the coronavirus include keeping windows open to promote airflow and spending time with people outdoors instead of indoors when possible, Torriani said. This “increases air turnover, which in turn reduces the number of particles that are still in the air and that we can breathe in,” she explains.
