5 things to know about the delta variant of the coronavirus
More contagious and probably more lethal, widespread in the United Kingdom, it now affects almost one in 4 cases in Italy. What we know and do not know about the spread and efficacy of vaccines
(photo: Gerd Altmann via Pixabay) The delta (formerly Indian) variant of the coronavirus continues to be talked about. Today we have more information, also because the new viral form is more widespread, even if we do not yet know many aspects concerning it. The delta variant is certainly more transmissible and for this reason it is important to undergo the vaccination with both doses, since only one is not sufficiently protective. In Italy today it affects almost 1 in 4 people among those who test positive for the coronavirus. What we know in 5 points.1. The delta is more transmissible. But the contagion routes are the same
The delta variant is more contagious, from 40% to 60%, compared to the alpha (former English variant), which in turn was more transmissible than the traditional form of the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined the delta as "very fast" and "the fittest", therefore more able to spread. For this reason, the greater contagiousness certainly plays a role in the evident growth of cases: in Europe they increased by 10% in the last week of June. However, there is currently no evidence that some transmission routes - think for example of the contagion via aerosols, from airborne virus particles - have a different weight than before.2. It would also be more lethal: this is why according to the WHO
When we talk about new, more contagious variants, we wonder if they are also more lethal, that is, associated with a greater number of severe forms and deaths. The other question then concerns the reasons: are they more lethal because they are more contagious (so we have more cases and inevitably more deaths) or because even in equal cases the disease is still more serious? The question also arose in the case of the English variant (alpha), which was more lethal, although the underlying causes have not been fully clarified. In the case of the delta, WHO indicates that the variant "could be more lethal because it is more efficient in the way it is transmitted between people," as Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO health emergencies program, points out, adding that the variant "can affect vulnerable individuals who can develop severe forms".3. How widespread is it
According to data from the end of June 2021, the delta variant is prevalent in the United Kingdom, where accounts for 99% of cases. In Italy, the latest estimates at the beginning of July indicated a spread of 22.7% and it is possible that the infections associated with this particular viral form are still rising, both in Italy and in other European countries. The delta is destined to become prevalent in the old continent: in the last week of June the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Ecdc) indicated that by the end of the summer this variant will cover 90% of new cases in Europe. And according to the WHO, which has included it among the five variants "of concern", it is destined to become prevalent worldwide.4. What are the frequent symptoms
International authorities are also studying the symptoms associated with the delta variant and the course of the disease, which may be slightly different than those of the traditional virus. So far the five most common classic symptoms indicated were: fever, dry cough and fatigue, together (in a smaller number of cases) with headache, muscle aches, loss of smell and taste, and others. Today, the manifestations also include, as shown by the Zoe Covid Study, runny nose (cold), headache and sore throat with greater frequency. As the loss of smell decreases and is less widespread.5. Are vaccines less effective against delta?
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has announced that two doses of all available vaccines (and even the single administration of Johnson & Johnson's single dose) are also effective against the delta variant, while the single dose would not be sufficient. However, the latest news from Israel has attracted the attention of many. Israeli authorities have announced a possible 30% drop in the overall efficacy of delta vaccines, although the unpublished data is yet to be confirmed. But in any case it must be emphasized that the effectiveness against severe forms remains high, again according to the Israeli survey, and equal to 93%. A result that confirms the importance of vaccination with two doses.Tech - 4 hours ago
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Topics
Israel Italy United Kingdom Vaccines Coronavirus vaccine Sars-Cov- variants 2 globalData.fldTopic = "Israel, Italy, United Kingdom, Vaccines, Coronavirus Vaccine, Sars-Cov-2 Variants"
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