Is the virus strain prevalent in Beijing more virulent than that in Guangzhou? Authoritative interpretation →

The new coronavirus variants currently prevalent in different places are different

Xu Wenbo, director of the Institute of Virology at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, recently introduced that the current prevalent novel coronavirus in my country is mainly BA.5.2 and BF.7, subbranches of the Omicron variant BA.5; BA.5.2 is prevalent in 31 provinces in my country; BF.7 is prevalent in 24 provinces in my country. The prevalent variants in Beijing are mainly BF.7, and the prevalent variants in Guangzhou are mainly BA.5.2. So, what are the differences between the two prevalent variants in Beijing and Guangzhou from a clinical medical perspective? In response to this question, the State Council's Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism organized relevant experts to respond.

There is no difference in the infectiousness and infectivity of different branches of Omicron

Tong Zhaohui, director of the Beijing Institute of Respiratory Diseases, said that the mutation of the virus is actually very normal. For example, we all know that the influenza virus is different every year. The new coronavirus has actually changed for several generations. It changed to Omicron from the end of last year and the beginning of this year. For example, BA.4 and BA.5 are from BA.2. BF.7 is from BA.4 and BA.5. But no matter what, as long as the virus is still from the Omicron branch, its toxicity, pathogenicity and infectivity will not change fundamentally.

Tong Zhaohui said, for example, the main epidemic in Beijing now is BF.7. According to current statistics, 98% of the cases are asymptomatic and mild. So when you look at this number, you should know that both asymptomatic and mild cases account for more than 90%, which means that the virus mainly invades the upper respiratory tract of the human body.

Tong Zhaohui introduced that asymptomatic means no symptoms, and mild cases have upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as cough, fever, and even sore throat, so there are some muscle aches when the fever is high. You may wonder if there are any differences between variants of different types and branches? In fact, everyone should know that there is no difference in terms of transmission and infectiousness, because they are all branches of Omicron.

There is no difference in pathogenicity between different branches of Omicron, so the public should not worry

In addition, Tong Zhaohui introduced that there is no difference in pathogenicity among different branches of Omicron, and the public does not need to worry too much.

Tong Zhaohui said that there is no difference in pathogenicity, because more than 90% of them have upper respiratory tract symptoms, so they cause upper respiratory tract symptoms. As for why some people have more obvious fever, some have more obvious cough, and some have more obvious sore throat, so the upper respiratory tract symptoms are different. If I have a good immune system and strong resistance, even if I am positive, I will still be asymptomatic. This varies from person to person and is related to his own immunity, his age, and his underlying diseases. It does not mean that the pathogenicity and virulence of the virus have changed, so I don’t think everyone needs to worry.

What should different groups of people pay attention to during home treatment and isolation?

So, what should different groups of people pay attention to when undergoing home treatment and quarantine? In what situations do they need to seek medical attention in a timely manner?

Tong Zhaohui responded that, for example, young and middle-aged people who are mild or asymptomatic and have no obvious underlying diseases can be observed at home and treated symptomatically at home. If there are certain underlying diseases, but the underlying diseases are stable, and they are also asymptomatic and mild, they can also be isolated and observed at home.

But if we talk about vulnerable groups, such as those over 65 years old, who have underlying diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, tumors, immunosuppression, etc., the underlying diseases are stable, but the new coronavirus itself may be more serious. For example, he may have symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. The clinical manifestations of shortness of breath and chest tightness caused by the new coronavirus are aggravated, and he should go to a designated hospital for treatment.

The third category is also a vulnerable group, over 65 years old, for example, those with myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, or unstable underlying diseases, or those who need emergency surgery, such as acute abdomen, or myocardial infarction requiring stent placement, or those who are in late pregnancy and are about to give birth. For this group of people, it is recommended that they go to a general hospital for treatment, because general hospitals have a more complete range of disciplines, and if there are any problems, they will have multidisciplinary consultations from various professionals. In this way, we have very good treatment conditions and guarantees for these different types of new coronavirus patients.

Source: CCTV News Client

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