COVID19 Delta Variant: Fact from Fiction

Over a year into a pandemic that has gripped the world, we are still discovering new trends, facts, and strains of the SARS – CoV2. While this pandemic has exposed the global healthcare inefficiencies, the pace at which vaccines, research, and data are being collected is truly something to be reveled in. 

During the course of the COVID19 pandemic, there have been many concerns on how viral spread originally occurred. With second and third waves being observed in several countries, hopes of a downward fall in infection rates are still out of reach. 

Additionally, with the recent spike in the SARS-CoV2 Delta variant, there have been new reasons for concern during this pandemic. The COVID19 Delta variant has posed several questions on the revamped healthcare system, as to whether current healthcare practices are sufficient to tackle this new strain. Curiosity also lingers on the global vaccination efforts, as to whether it will be futile in the fight against the new Delta variant. 

Arising Concerns With COVID19 Delta variant 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled the B.1.617.2 variant of SARS-CoV2 as the Delta variant. Specific mutations located on the surface spike proteins of the virus have resulted in the formation of the current Delta variant. This mutation has enabled the virus to bind more firmly to cells and is studied to be more capable of navigating the body’s immune system. 

One of the primary concerns of the Delta variant, which was first identified in October 2020 in India, has been the increasing rate of transmissibility of the virus. This essentially means that the virus spreads more easily when compared to its predecessors. This occurs more so among populations that do not maintain the post-pandemic social norms. 

The COVID19 Delta variant has been the prime cause for the recent catastrophic second wave reported across India. The reasons the virus was able to ransack the country were due to the low numbers of the fully vaccinated population and the relaxation of strict lockdowns. The Delta variant is documented to have an upwards rate of transmissibility of about 60% in comparison to the previous COVID19 variants. This COVID19 variant is currently spreading rapidly across the globe. A CDC tracker has listed a possible 111 countries with this variant including the UK, US, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, and recently several African countries. 

Identifying Symptoms of The Delta Variant 

The primary concern in identifying cases of this Delta variant is that the symptoms are similar to the other variants of the virus. Among individuals that are not vaccinated some of the symptoms that have been reported include: 

• Headache 
• Fever 
• Sore throat 
• Runny nose 

A ZOE COVID Symptom Study conducted in the UK where the Delta variant was causing an increase in cases, recorded the symptoms patients were reporting. The frequency of cough and loss of smell was reported less frequently in comparison to patients with other variants of COVID19. 

Children and younger individuals were also reporting severe symptoms with the Delta variant, which was not previously observed during the initial phases of the pandemic. This is also the large section of the population that is currently unvaccinated since vaccine programs have targeted the older and more vulnerable demographics. 

Vaccine efficacy and The Delta Variant 

Unvaccinated individuals are at the highest risk of experiencing severe symptoms following infection with the COVID19 Delta variant. Vaccinations on their own do not lower the risk of infection, but they lower the severity of symptoms of those who are infected. Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson provide protection against severe symptoms, among those who are fully vaccinated. There have been many cases of infection observed among those who have been vaccinated, but most of them are able to manage symptoms through home quarantine, rarely requiring hospitalization. 

It is also vital to note that since children form a large portion of the unvaccinated population, finding vaccines that are suitable for children is crucial to lowering the transmission and severity of symptoms. 

Protection from the COVID19 Delta Variant 

All the different habits we formed at the outset of the pandemic, should still be practiced today. While the pandemic is far from over, one year later, we understand how the pandemic unraveled and are capable of tracking the methods that actually helped. 

1. Get Yourself Vaccinated 

Currently, the best way to protect yourself from the serious impact of the Delta variant is to get yourself vaccinated. There are several studies, and many more underway, that are documenting the effects of all vaccines on the current Delta variant. 

2. Practice social distancing 

Washing your hands regularly, carrying your sanitizer, donning on a face mask, and maintaining sufficient distance in social spaces is crucial. If you observe that people around are not following the norms, it is possible to politely educate them and encourage these practices. 

3. Avoid large gatherings 

Viral transmission is highest within enclosed spaces with poor ventilation. When there are large groups of people, the virus can spread easily even if there is only one infected person within the group. Asymptomatic individuals have the highest likelihood of transmitting the virus. Try to opt for open grounds and avoid large gatherings altogether if possible. 

4. Limit traveling unless necessary 

With the whole world locked down, it is tempting with the loosening restrictions to hop on the plane to those holiday destinations that you have been eyeing. However, airplanes are some of

the largest enclosed spaces. Additionally, the new variant can be introduced to new areas that may not be equipped to handle its severity through tourism. 5.

5. Spread awareness 

The best step moving forward and tackling the viral spread is to be well informed and sharing this knowledge within our communities. Only about 26.5% of our global population has received one dose of the vaccination, which means an even smaller percentage is fully vaccinated. Sharing facts, hygiene practices, and hygiene products are the best steps moving forward. 

Outlook For The COVID19 Pandemic 

There is still so much alarming news spreading across the world. New strains. Larger populations are affected. Insufficient vaccines. And while all of this can be disheartening, the key to remember is that the whole world is in this together. 

Currently, there is still a lot more to learn about the Delta variant of the coronavirus. And this new variant is proof that the virus is evolving. Research, studies and everything science is capable of is currently underway across the globe. 

As individuals, the best steps moving forward are to be mindful of whether we are contributing towards global viral spread and using the best practices to limit this.