The Delta COVID variant that first appeared in India has put Europe, North America and Africa on watch. The authoritative Nature Journal reported June 22, 2021 that it ‘catalyzed a third UK wave’. And it also ‘forced the UK government to delay the full reopening of that society’. Now scientists are bracing for the impact of Delta elsewhere, Nature adds. But they are hoping vaccine shots will dampen the ‘inevitable rise of the variant’ the journal says.
The Delta Variant Could ‘Devastate Parts of Africa’
Reading between the lines, there seems hope vaccine access will help North America and Europe come through. However, evolutionary biologist and bio-statistician at Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium Tom Wenseleers fears worse elsewhere.
Moreover, Nature Journal warns Delta ‘could be devastating in countries’ without large vaccine stocks, particularly in Africa. ‘In my mind, it will be really hard to keep out this variant,’ says Tom Wenseleers. ‘It’s very likely it will take over altogether on a worldwide basis.’
Five Things We Already Know About the Delta Variant
Delta was the driver behind the aggressive wave in India during April and May 2021. But now there is also evidence it was behind the COVID resurgences in Nepal, Southeast Asia and elsewhere.
Scientists Bracing for the Impact of 60% More Infectious Delta
Most people with vaccinations have only received single doses thus far. Nature Journal says this provides 33% protection against Delta with Astra Zeneca or Pfizer, compared to 50% for Alpha strain. However, those numbers should increase to 60% and 88% against Delta for Astra Zeneca and Pfizer respectively with double doses.
Meanwhile, evidence is stacking up in the UK that infections are ‘twice as likely to go to hospital compared to Alpha’. However, the hope remains that more vaccinations, surveillance and enhanced contact tracing could slow the incoming tide. We can only watch and hope, with scientists bracing for the impact of a more ferocious Delta.
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