The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the world to its knees. A pandemic unlike we have ever seen in modern times, it has revolutionized our lives in every way. From the way we conduct business to the way we travel; Coronavirus has impacted every aspect of life as we know it. As the hopes of returning to normalcy fill our minds and hearts with the rollout of vaccines, new strains of this novel virus continue to emerge as it mutates and becomes resistant to our already limited prevention and treatments. A new variant coined “Delta” has recently emerged and its extreme contagiousness and rapid spread are a cause for concern.
What Is The Delta Covid-19 Variant?
Delta made its first appearance in India, where it has spread like wildfire, resulting in exponentially rising cases, hospitalizations, and ultimately deaths. Considered to be one of the most contagious strains of coronavirus, Delta is up to 50% more contagious than the Alpha variant. Delta is gaining traction worldwide and poses a severe threat to reversing the decreasing infection numbers that have been a result of increased vaccination efforts globally.
Delta calls for increased concern as it is the most transmissible variant of Coronavirus to emerge, it spreads more easily than the original Alpha strain as well as the individual strains identified in specific red zones around the globe. The C.D.C. states that the reason for Delta’s rapid spread is due to its ability to bypass the antibodies our bodies create as a result of a previous infection, rendering the antibody treatments available to us less effective in preventing sickness. Delta variant has also proven to contribute to more severe symptoms and increased chances of hospitalization, as those infected with Delta were nearly twice as likely to become hospitalized due to the severity of symptoms, as found in a recent study.
Where Is Delta Variant Found?
Delta’s rapid spread makes it difficult to pinpoint its origin. Delta is a prominent variant found in India and Britain, accounting for more than 90% of the cases and counting. So far, the new variant has spread to over 80 countries, with the first case in the United States being detected in early March. It now makes up 20% of all infections in the US, as the case numbers continue to increase.
Is The Vaccine Effective Against The Delta Variant?
The vaccine, regardless of the manufacturer, has proven to be highly effective in preventing infections including novel variants. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, specifically, is 93% effective against the Alpha variant, and a whopping 88% effective against the Delta variant, preventing symptomatic infection and reducing hospitalization rates. That number is significantly reduced for individuals who have received only a single dose of the vaccine, dropping to a low 33% effectiveness against this more aggressive variant. Individuals who did not receive a single vaccine dose are at a considerably higher risk of infection.
While Delta is cause for concern on a global scale, the effectiveness of available treatments against this strain does not indicate that there will be a resurgence of infection rates similar to those at the beginning of the pandemic. The continuously improved and researched vaccine options are an effective method of preventing the spread of the new variant and reducing overall infections. As more individuals continue to receive both of their vaccine doses, the numbers will continue to drop, regardless of the higher contagiousness of the Delta variant. According to researchers, Delta is less of a cause for concern than anticipated, so long as we continue to practice safety protocols and receive our vaccinations.