If you have not been paying attention to recent COVID-19 updates, now is the time to hear a couple of crucial details about a newer, more contagious strain: Delta. It originated in India and has been described by the World Health Organization as one of several “variants of concern,” because of how it is spreading rapidly across the globe.
Here’s what you need to know about the Covid-19 Delta Variant…
1. Where is it spreading?
Delta has been reported in 80 countries, including Nigeria. It is now the most common variant in India and Britain, where it accounts for more than 90% of cases.
2. Why should you be more alert?
Delta is believed to be 50% more contagious than both the original strain and the Alpha variant first identified in Britain. Other evidence suggests that it may also cause more severe illness; infected people are twice as likely to be hospitalized.
3. Does Delta have different symptoms?
Delta symptoms differ from the ancestral virus and other mutations as patients have described headaches, sore throats, runny noses, fever, and coughing. This could lead people to think they only have a mild cold and continue to go about their day normally. If you have these symptoms, stay home, and get tested.
4. If you’re vaccinated, do you need to worry?
The Delta variant is unlikely to pose much risk to people who have been fully vaccinated, according to experts. The current set of vaccines are still effective but if you’ve only gotten one dose, you’re at higher risk.
5. What can you do?
Get vaccinated, fully. If you’re already vaccinated, encourage your family, friends, and neighbours to get vaccinated too. It’s our best shot at slowing the spread of all the variants and reduce the possibility of other variants emerging.
