There is a rapid spread of the Delta variant in the United States especially in areas where the vaccination rate is low. This has led to the surge in deaths and hospitalisation largely among the non-vaccinated population.
According to experts, the Delta variant could also impact the fully vaccinated people even though they have a much lower risk of severe illness. According to CDC & WHO, Delta is one of several “variants of concern,” and has spread rapidly through India and Britain.
The Delta Variant May Also Impact The Fully-Vaccinated
While the vaccinations in the United States are ticking up, the swift rise in cases has prompted concerns. “The Delta variant is currently the greatest threat in the U.S. to our attempt to eliminate Covid-19,” said Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, at a briefing. According to one recent study, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 88% effective in reducing the symptoms caused by Delta. However, a single dose of the vaccine was just 33% effective against Delta.
Also read: Moderna Gets Approval For Use In India; Here’s How It’s Beneficial For Health
📍BREAKING—with #DeltaVariant now surging almost 50% of all #COVID19, Los Angeles County now “strongly recommends” everyone, **including folks fully vaccinated**, to wear masks indoors to curb the #Delta variant, especially when “you don’t know everyone’s vaccination status”. pic.twitter.com/BHFl3JrWak
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) June 29, 2021
Experts Are Warning Against Travel Due To The Spread Of Delta Variant
Delta is believed to be the most transmissible variant yet and it spreads faster than the original strain of the virus. According to experts, the Delta could be 50 percent more contagious than the Alpha strain that already accounts for more than 50% of the cases in the UK. Europe Issues Fresh Travel Restrictions For Indians In View Of The Delta Variant Of COVID.
‘Delta’ Variant Of COVID-19 Mutates Into ‘Delta Plus’: 10 Points https://t.co/66ywuWwDbj pic.twitter.com/ltViDkaNPZ
— NDTV (@ndtv) June 15, 2021
Delta Variant May Cause More Severe Illnesses
Many evidence suggests that the variant may be able to partially evade the antibodies after vaccination and the coronavirus infection. This is precisely why even the fully-vaccinated people must wait to travel. Delta may also cause more severe illness and affected ones may be twice as likely for hospitalisation. Delta has been reported in 80 countries and it accounts for 90 percent of the cases in India and Britain.
Also read: Philippines Extends Flight Ban On India And 6 Other Countries Till July 15
As Delta Variant Circulates, Public Health Recommends Masking Indoors as a Precaution – 3 New Deaths and 259 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County.
View https://t.co/Fnrbckbfhf pic.twitter.com/16a6fBHByC— LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) June 29, 2021
However, you should still get vaccinated and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to get vaccinated as vaccination will likely slow down the spread of all the variants. That said, experts still advice against travel unless it is absolutely necessary.
First Published: June 30, 2021 1:03 PM