The COVID Delta variant was first spotted in India, although it is now spreading in more than 70 countries. It is considerably more infectious than other COVID variants, making it much easier to catch if we are careless. We touched on the five things we already know about it recently. However, there are two things we don’t yet know about Delta, and they could be critically important in the months lying ahead.
Five Things We May Be Reasonably Certain About Delta
Firstly, as we mentioned the Delta variant is spreading fast. In fact some virologists predict it will become dominant globally. It is also more transmissible between people, meaning if we drop our guard we have a better chance of infection.
Moreover, studies in UK suggest the first warning signs of the illness are a headache. Followed by a sore throat, a runny nose, and fever – with cough and loss of smell rare. Younger people are at greater risk, although they may mistake it for a cold.
And finally of the things we know, the probability of hospitalization is increased, even with a single vaccine shot. However, on the positive side two shots of AstraZeneca or Pfizer provide 92% and 79% protection respectively.
The Two Things We Don’t Yet Know About Delta
We don’t yet know whether Delta will associate with more deaths. That’s because scientists don’t have sufficient data to make an assessment. The second thing we don’t yet know about Delta is whether existing vaccines will need booster shots to strengthen our defenses.
The logical conclusion tends in the direction of continuing sanitizing, distancing, and masking even with two shots. We are not medical specialists, and we are certainly not epidemiologists. However, out of an abundance of caution, that would seem to be wise advice to follow.
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