The virus that causes a respiratory disease called corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19) SARS-CoV-2 is a member of a large family of viruses called corona viruses. Formerly, this disease was referred to as '2019 novel coronavirus. The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses which cause severely acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold. The World Health Organization (WHO) named its variant as the Delta variant on 31 May 2021. The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, can spread more easily, according to the CDC of USA.
In recent months, a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the Delta variant has spread across the world. this was first identified in India in December 2020, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people in India. Then it was discovered in the United States in March 2021. Presently, people in 50 states of USA have tested positive for COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant. According to WHO the Delta variant has been reported in 96 countries now.
Viruses constantly evolve through muton (smallest element of genetic material capable of undergoing mutation), with new variants arising. Sometimes these are more dangerous than the original. The strain has mutations on the spike protein that make it easier to infect human cells. That means people may be more contagious if they contract the virus and may more easily spread it to others. Public health experts of Yale Medicine, estimate that the average person who gets infected with Delta spreads it to three or four other people, as compared with one or two other people through the original coronavirus strain. In fact, researchers have said that the Delta variant is about 50% more contagious than the Alpha variant, which was first identified in the U.K. According to Washington Post Alpha, was already more contagious than the original coronavirus first identified in China in 2019.
The Delta Plus variant, also known as B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1, is considered a “subvariant of the Delta version, according CBS News. It has a mutation that allows the virus to better attack lung cells and potentially escape vaccines. Delta plus has now reportedly been found in the U.S., U.K., and nearly a dozen other countries.
The symptoms of the Delta variant appear to be the same as the original version of COVID-19. Their symptoms are more like those of a common cold, such as cough, fever or headache, with the addition of significant loss of smell. However, physicians are seeing people getting sicker quickly.
The reasons contributing to increased transmission of the COVID-19 Delta Variant around the world can be different from country to country but generally increased participation in social gatherings, mobility in congested places which increases the number of contacts that individuals have and the relaxation or the inappropriate use of public health and social measures.
people who are unvaccinated and infected with the Delta variant are at great risk and their respiratory systems affect more severely. One research from Scotland has shown that unvaccinated people who are infected with the COVID-19 Delta variant are twice as likely to be hospitalized, than people who are infected with the COVID-19.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, USA) recommends that people who aren’t vaccinated should get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves from the risk of illness from COVID-19, including the Delta variant. We are lucky that now different Vaccines are available against COVID 19, across the globe for example Sino pharm, Sinovac, Pfizer-BioNtech, Sputnik V,
Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Novavax etc. All vaccines are approved from WHO, but people are still worried because there's some data showing that some vaccines may be less effective in preventing against some of these variants. According to WHO “all of the vaccines do really well, however, there are different levels. They may range from 70 to 90 % in the protection against getting infection and prevention of severe disease and hospitalization, but they're all effective. None of the vaccines currently are 100% protective.”
So, everyone should get vaccination without delay. All vaccines protect from getting severely ill. if some one catches the affected, there is a less risk to get infected and less chance of hospitalization and death. The vaccinated people who get COVID-19 will have less complications. They may not develop severe pneumonia and may not need to go to the hospital.
If a patient with COVID-19, Delta variant is going to be cared for at home, he should be in isolation. It is important that decision of all care at home should be done under direction of health care provider. In case of fever antipyretics or drugs that reduce fevers are advised to keep the patient comfortable. WHO does not recommend Antibiotics. The patient should eat and drink sufficiently to stay well-nourished and hydrated.
For those who aren’t vaccinated yet including those who are not yet eligible can protect against the Delta variant by ensuring wearing masks over nose and mouth especially when they are in poorly ventilated indoor spaces or crowded areas, washing hands frequently or using hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from others. Even those who have received the vaccine should take all the precautions so that they are completely protecting themselves as well as protecting others around.
CDC, USA, recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.
People who have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone with confirmed COVID-19 may go far the test.
For example, in Pakistan, people can Call 1166; the COVID-19 helpline Centre, for registration of vaccine or any other issues. Similarly, every country has established their own helplines and centers.