What the Chinese cases tell us about the delta variant of the coronavirus

From new data provided by China, the Indian or delta variant would be associated more often with more severe forms, with more rapid onset of severe symptoms. The variant is 91% widespread in the UK

(photo: Daniel Roberts via Pixabay) The Indian or delta variant of the coronavirus is now increasingly in the spotlight of scientists. Initially widespread in India, this variant (in acronym B.1.617.2), which today takes the name of delta, according to the new WHO nomenclature, has spread to numerous other countries and in our continent especially in the United Kingdom, where today it is prevalent and represents 91% of new cases. On the Gisaid database we can find the updated map of its diffusion.

The delta variant is 40 to 60% more contagious than the English one (now known as alpha) and, according to Public data Health England, would be associated with an approximately 2.5 times higher risk of hospitalization. The increased aggressiveness of this strain is also confirmed by new detailed information from China which, as reported by the New York Times, was presented by Chinese doctors on state television. In particular, according to their testimony, the symptoms and course of the Covid-19 disease would be different. What do we know.

More serious and rapid symptoms

According to media reports, generally the amount of virus detected by the tests is higher. Thanks to the large capacity to test cases and the widespread spread of swabs in the areas near the outbreaks, China provides very abundant and detailed data. According to what doctors said on television, patients get sick and develop even severe symptoms more quickly. According to Guan Xiangdong, director of the intensive care unit at Sun Yat-sen University, about 12% of patients present with severe or very severe forms within 3 to 4 days of the onset of symptoms, while in the past the percentage was around 2- 3% and only occasionally could it reach 10%.

The situation today

For the United Kingdom, 21 June will no longer be the day of reopening, i.e. the date on which the easing of restrictions, postponed by one month due to the delta variant. In the meantime, Prime Minister Mario Draghi stresses that a swab is currently necessary (and sufficient) to enter Italy, but should the positive cases emerge, we should re-enter the quarantine for those arriving from the United Kingdom. From February until June 7 there were over 33 thousand diagnoses in the United Kingdom, but there are cases also in other European countries, although fortunately still limited: for example in Italy it is estimated that the positives affected by the delta variant are around at 1%.

The importance of two doses

The delta variant was first discovered in India in December 2020. Since then, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it has spread to about 60 countries. Recently, the WHO has moved it from a variant of interest to a variant of concern, according to the official classification. And it is the fourth worrying in addition to the English, South African and Brazilian (now alpha, beta and gamma) variant. It must be emphasized that even against the delta variant, vaccination - in particular with two doses - remains a central tool in the fight against the coronavirus and also the delta variant. If the first dose is not very effective against the delta variant, the second one could be much more effective. In short, in the case of the circulation of the delta variant, the option to delay the recall may no longer represent the optimal strategy, since the coverage after the first is not enough.


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Topics

China Coronavirus United Kingdom Sars-Cov-2 variants globalData.fldTopic = "China, Coronavirus, UK, Sars-Cov-2 Variants"

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