JN.1 Coronavirus Strain: Single-Use Mask and Respirator Protection
The past few months have seen COVID cases and hospitalisations sharply increase as Australia experiences another wave linked to an emerging variant, JN.1. Experts are already suggesting that this strain is likely to be responsible for most of the COVID-19 infections throughout 2024.
Feeling unwell, not being able to function properly and missing out on life is not something to aspire to. Here are some facts about the JN.1 variant and how single-use face masks and respirators can help protect against infection.
What is the JN.1 variant?
Since the world first learned about the COVID-19 outbreak in late 2019, the original COVID strain has undergone many mutations to create variants and subvariants.
The JN.1 variant first appeared in select cases across Australia towards the end of 2023, but it was first detected in the US in September of 2023. Since then, it has quickly spread across the globe.
The JN.1 variant is a descendant of the Omicron strain. It has evolved from the Pirola variant which also emerged throughout 2023. The JN.1 strain is known for its multiple spike protein mutations. While it is still early days for this latest strain, the JN.1 variant has been classified as a variant of interest (VOI) by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Is the JN.1 variant more dangerous?
It is still too early to tell whether the JN.1 variant is more dangerous than other strains however, infections and hospitalisations have noticeably increased. With this in mind, it is important to always approach new COVID strains with caution and protect yourself where possible.
Signs and symptoms of the JN.1 variant
While the signs of the new JN.1 variant can vary across different people, common symptoms include the usual COVID suspects, like a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, fever, chills, and a cough. Some people may also experience increased levels of fatigue or exhaustion, body aches, headaches, and a sore throat.
Although the signs and symptoms of the latest variant are much the same as previous COVID strains, it seems as if it might be better at evading our immune system. Not to mention, it appears that this variant is even more transmissible than previous strains, which has led to its rampant spread across many countries, including Australia.
Can you and your loved ones afford the time to be sick and miss out on school, work and fun?
How to protect yourself against infection
As this new wave of COVID continues to roll out across Australia and the globe, it is important to continue to practice the all too familiar protective measures like:
- Hand hygiene: Regularly wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, that is made from over 60% alcohol or 70% isopropanol. Avoid touching your face, especially around your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Physical distancing: When possible, maintain a physical distance of at least 1m from people outside your household. It is generally recommended to avoid large gatherings, especially in enclosed spaces.
- Face masks and respirators: If physical distancing is not possible, then use a single-use face mask or respirator. These can act as a physical barrier between you and infectious airborne particles and also reduce the spread of disease.
- Isolation: If you or someone in your household test positive to a COVID or FLU strain, it is important to isolate.
Always be sure to keep up to date with developments and local health guidelines in response to a new wave.
Spread prevention with Detmold Medical masks and respirators
Detmold Medical is based in Adelaide, South Australia and manufactures and distributes single-use face masks and respirators offering a range of high-quality respiratory protective equipment (RPE). We proudly supplied frontline health workers with much-needed face mask PPE during the pandemic and we continue to manufacture and supply a range of face masks and respirators. From 3-ply community face masks to N95 single-use surgical respirators, our range has been designed to provide various levels of protection to suit most requirements.
Use our face mask comparator to find a mask or respirator that suits your specific needs or shop the range today.
