The United States is surviving at a terrible stressful phase, with pandemic coronavirus cases rising and barely 50% of the people fully immunised. Causing the biggest wave is the extremely contagious Delta variant, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) generated between 80% and 90% of all U.S. COVID-19 cases in the last 2 weeks of July.
The main problem is Delta, an extremely transmissible SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, which was initial identified in India in December. It swept quickly through that country and Great Britain before reaching the U.S., where it is now the dominant variant. The variant is highly dangerous and spread cases from a 7-day average of 13,500 daily cases in early June to 92,000 on 3 August.
The highest spread of cases and critical consequences are occurring in areas with low vaccination rates, and virtually all hospitalizations and deaths have been among the unvaccinated, the CDC says.
Things you need to know about the Delta variant.
1. Delta is highly contagious
As per studies on July 22, nearly 80% of patients who tested positive for COVID-19 had the Delta. According to the CDC during the same week, the Delta is responsible for more than 80% of new cases in the U.S. As Health experts say the new strain of a coronavirus is more contagious and easily transmitted.
2. Unvaccinated people are at risk.
Most patients hospitalized are people who have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine. About 97% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. Vaccines that are highly efficient at preventing COVID-19 infection are also useful in fighting against the Delta variant.
3. Delta variant symptoms are the same
Symptoms of the Delta variant seem to be similar to the initial version of COVID-19. Nevertheless, physicians are noticing patients getting sicker faster and it is affecting more younger people. Delta variant symptoms are common cold, cough, fever, headache, loss of smell, breathing problem etc.
4. More COVID-19 variants are likely to come
Delta variant is presently the most dangerous strain of COVID-19, but the Lambda variant identified in South America is also rising. Health experts recommend people get vaccinated to get back to normal life. As long as part of people across the globe are unvaccinated, many new strains of the virus will proceed to grow and cause difficulties.
5. Wear masks, even if you’re fully vaccinated
Several health experts around the globe are using masks and are even recommending wearing a mask. Even if you are fully vaccinated. Vaccinated people should also follow covid rules like avoid large gatherings, wear a mask.
6. Delta leads ‘hyperlocal outbreaks’ or ‘community outbreak’.
In communities with lower vaccination rates, especially rural areas with insufficient access to care, the Delta variant could be even more damaging. This is previously being observed in poorer nations where the COVID-19 vaccine isn’t as available. Health experts say the result could be felt for decades to come.
How Dangerous Is the Delta Variant (B.1.617.2)?
Data shows that the Delta variant is 40-60% more transmissible than Alpha. Which is almost twice as transmissible as the original Wuhan strain of SARS-CoV-2. More viral particles have been observed in the breath of patients infected with the Delta variant. A Chinese study published that viral loads in Delta infections were ~1,000 times higher than those in infections caused by other variants. In response to this information, the World Health Organization (WHO) regards Delta as “the fastest and fittest” variant so far.