Not the time to worry on new variant, says Bath expert
We've spoken to infection control expert Doctor Bharat Pankhania as masks become mandatory once again
An infection control expert from Bath says now is not the time to worry about the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.
We have spoken to Doctor Bharat Pankhania, a lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School, as masks become compulsory once again in shops and on public transport.
"The new variant is interesting because it has multiple mistakes, or the other word for mistakes is mutations, in the part of the virus that codes for the manufacture of the spike protein," he tells us.
"Because there are multiple mutations in the region where it codes for the manufacture of the spike protein, it means the structure of the spike protein will be altered.
"That altered spike protein structure implies a number of things.
"One, it may be more infectious, it may be less. We don't know.
"It may be more disease causing, or it may be less. Again, we don't know.
"The one that concerns all of us is, could it, because of its structural change...evade the immunity created by the vaccines.
"These are concerns that we have. In two to three weeks time, we will know."
Since the discovery of the variant in South Africa confusing reports have been published by various outlets, often simultaneously saying it poses a severe risk and that it only causes mild symptoms.
The reality, Dr Pankhania insists, is it is too early to know.
"That is the truth, yes," he said.
"I would rather say we don't know instead of getting hairs running unnecessarily.
"The truthful answer is we have an issue and we don't exactly know which way it is."
He says we need to be measured in our reaction, while the facts remain uncertain.
Masks
At the time of writing nine cases of the Omicron variant have been discovered in the UK, six of them in Scotland.
In a bid to slow its spread, as of today the wearing of face masks has once again become compulsory in shops and on public transport.
All contacts of suspected Omicron cases will have to self-isolate for 10 days regardless of their vaccination status.
Meanwhile anyone entering the UK will have to take a PCR test within 48 hours of arriving and self isolate until they have a negative result.
There has been some concern as to whether people will go back to wearing masks months after their legal need was dropped, but Dr Pankhania says we should have all kept wearing them anyway.
"Because Prime Minister Johnson likes to keep everybody happy he has been reluctant to mandate masks in public places, but a good infection control measure, a good infection control programme looks like this," he said.
"People across all the age groups are fully immunised, one.
"Two, there is good ventilation.
"Three, people are asked to wear good quality masks properly, especially in crowded places like tubes, trains, supermarkets and wherever there are crowds of people."
Don't worry
Dr Pankhania's key message to the public is that we should not worry at this stage.
"I think we need to remain measured, because if we are stressed we make stressful decisions, which are often incorrect, so keep calm," he said.
"Always exercise good infection control measures, please get your vaccines as soon as your turn comes."
He's also urging everyone eligible for the flu vaccine to get jabbed ahead of the winter months, even saying those who are not eligible on the NHS should pay for it if you can.