The UK enjoys a strategic position in Europe, equidistant between Asia and America the way we draw our maps. This may be because Egypt, Greece and Rome liked to portray themselves at the heart of their universe. Nonetheless, London still plays a central role in international trade. However, her central position has laid her open to increased threat from the Delta India Variant.
Public Health England Says India Variant Now Dominant
The Delta India Variant is now the dominant strain in the UK, posing a real threat from its 44% greater infection rate. British health minister Matt Hancock warns this is having a ‘very significant impact’ on current health measures in his country. Although UK prime minister Boris Johnson has not yet backed off from his plan to continue relaxing restrictions.
Meanwhile, CNN World has analyzed the increased threat from the Delta India Variant. It could result in a ‘2.6 times greater risk of hospitalization within 14 days compared with the Alpha UK variant’. And this is after it took variables such as age, gender, ethnicity and vaccination status into consideration.
Vaccines Help Counter the Increased Threat from Delta India Variant
A Public Health England update of May 22, 2021 (refer link below) gives strong hope science can control the Delta Virus threat. That’s because the Pfizer and Astra-Zeneca doses are proving similarly effective against UK Alpha Variant B.1.1.7. And the newer India Delta Variant B.1.617.2 and we quote as follows:
1…The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 88% effective against symptomatic disease from B.1.617.2 Delta India variant, two weeks after the second dose compared to 93% effectiveness against the B.1.1.7 Alpha UK one.
2… Two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were 60% effective against symptomatic disease from the B.1.617.2 Delta variant, compared to 66% effectiveness against the B.1.1.7 Alpha strain.
It’s important to remember those benefits take several weeks to have full effect, and do not provide 100% cover. Therefore we should maintain social distancing, masking, and hand sanitation throughout the pandemic.
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Preview Image: Global Vaccination Data
