The latest super mutant strains invade and cancel the nucleic acid testing of imported non-cold chain items, will the epidemic rebound?
According to media reports, a new wave of epidemics broke out in Shanghai, and although the confirmed data is stable, it has been running at a high level, and the medium and high risk areas have also increased significantly. Moreover, according to the virus gene sequencing, it is the Omicron BA.5.2.1 variant that caused the spread of the epidemic. Omicron BA.5.2 is known as the most contagious variant in history, and it has caused epidemics in many places in China. , such as Zhuhai, Guangdong, Qingdao, Shandong and so on.
On July 12, the National Health and Health Commission announced that localities will no longer conduct nucleic acid testing for COVID-19 virus on imported non-cold chain items. Trigger a storm of public opinion: Will this lead to a rebound in the epidemic?
Will nucleic acid testing of imported non-cold-chain items no longer lead to a rebound in the epidemic?
1) Under normal temperature conditions, the COVID-19 virus has a short survival time on the surface of most items, and is completely inactivated within 1 day
Viruses, bacteria and fungi belong to our common microorganisms, and many of them are also the real culprits that cause our infectious diseases, but there is still a big difference between viruses and bacteria. Unlike bacteria, viruses have cell wall, cytoplasm, nucleus and other structures, but are only composed of protein shells and genetic material, so it must rely on living cells of other organisms to survive.
In the absence of living cells, the conditions for virus survival will be very harsh, often requiring low temperature or even ultra-low temperature to survive on the surface of objects. Even for the COVID-19 virus that has such a big impact on us, the latest research shows that the COVID-19 virus survives for a short time on the surface of most items under normal temperature conditions, and is completely inactivated within one day. Therefore, it is difficult for the virus to survive in such hot outdoor conditions for conventional non-cold chain items.
Referring to the research results of scientists on the SARS virus, drop a certain titer of virus solution on the surface of absorbent materials such as filter paper and wood. After half an hour, the virus concentration on the filter paper and wood will drop by 90%. %~99%, after 48 hours, no viable virus can be detected.
Although the virus can survive for a certain period of time after leaving the host. But enveloped viruses usually survive for no more than a few hours. From this, we can speculate that the express box, as a paper material, is not suitable for the survival of the virus. When we receive express delivery, it usually takes 3-5 days for it to reach our hands. When it reaches our hands, it will lose its activity. Even if the virus survives on the express delivery or takeaway, it does not mean that the infection conditions can be met. The virus is spread by express delivery. is extremely unlikely.
2) Precise epidemic prevention
It has been more than two years since the outbreak of the epidemic, and both the economy and the lives of residents in China and the world have suffered a huge impact. As we learn more and more about the virus, we have to change from an all-out attack to a precise sniper. Moreover, the country also divides imported non-cold-chain items into low-risk and high-risk categories. For low-risk items, not only the COVID-19 virus nucleic acid testing, but also preventive disinfection is no longer implemented. And high-risk items will be preventively disinfected according to the process.
The low-risk criteria are those that meet any of the following conditions: imported non-cold chain items from countries (regions) with low risk of COVID-19 pneumonia; all bulk bulk cargoes, including coal, ore, chemical raw materials, grain, feed, Imported non-cold-chain items such as pasture and logs; imported non-cold-chain items that are loaded with imported items for more than 24 hours after leaving the port of shipment; imported non-cold-chain items that do not come into contact with loading and unloading personnel during loading and unloading; Imported non-cold chain items that have implemented preventive disinfection. It is worth noting that whether non-cold chain imports are high or low is determined by the customs, not what you say.
Most people are in favor of this new regulation, because bulk goods, such as coal, ore, logs, rubber, etc., have no risk of infection at all. However, we used a lot of human and financial resources to carry out testing. Disinfect the ground, and those who come into contact need to rest and test nucleic acids.
Summarize
In short, we still cannot relax our vigilance against the COVID-19 epidemic, but our epidemic prevention measures should be more scientific and precise. Only in this way can we ensure the normal living needs of the people and win the protracted battle of epidemic prevention and control while the epidemic prevention and control continues to be effective.