Delta variant of coronavirus

About Delta variant of coronavirus

What is the Delta variant of coronavirus?

First identified in India in December 2020 reportedly, Delta or B.1.617.2 is a highly transmissible coronavirus strain, which is more dominant in the UK than the Alpha variant. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Delta variant is currently present in nearly 100 countries.

Each variant has been named after a Greek letter to make it easier for the public. The cases of the Alpha variant have been reported in 172 countries, Beta in 120 countries, Gamma in 72 countries, and Delta in 100 countries. Given the increase in transmissibility, the WHO warned that the Delta variant is expected to rapidly outcompete other variants and become the dominant variant over the coming months.

How contagious is Delta variant?

The WHO has categorised Delta as the 'Variant of Concern' (VOC) because of its significantly increased transmissibility. As viruses spread by replicating themselves, it sometimes manages to change its genetics to not kill itself.

According to WHO, the Delta cases are rising while Alpha cases are declining. It has increased transmissibility compared to other variants.

As some countries eased restrictions, there was an increase in transmission around the world. The variant was responsible for India's surge in Covid-19 cases in April due to its contagious properties. It also has an increased risk of hospitalisation. By mid-June, the Delta variant accounted for 99 per cent of Covid-19 cases in the UK, according to Public Health England

The common symptoms of Delta variants are as same as others which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, nausea among others.

Are vaccines effective against Delta variant ?

According to reports, there's no evidence yet that determines if the Delta variant can evade vaccines completely. The WHO states the vaccines are effective against all the variants but is in need of more data.

A recent Lancet study said adults fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are likely to have over five times lower levels of neutralising antibodies against the Delta variant. But as none of the coronavirus vaccines is 100 per cent effective, there can be infections even in fully vaccinated people.

The US National Institute of Health said India's Covaxin effectively neutralises both Alpha and Delta variants of coronavirus.

More mutations

A mutation of the Delta variant, the Delta Plus variant is a fast emerging VOC and has reportedly been found in 11 countries already. The mutation is acquired from both the Delta and the Beta strain, which was discovered in South Africa.

The Indian government categorised Delta Plus as a VOC, after finding cases in Maharashtra, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh. This variant reportedly spreads 60 per cent faster than Delta.

Latest Updates on Delta variant of coronavirus

Hospitals conduct Covid mock drills as positivity rate nears 7%

As of Sunday, Kerala topped the list of Covid cases with the number of cases crossing more than 12,000

Updated On: 21 Apr 2023 | 5:01 PM IST

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40% jump in cases in a day: Will a fresh wave of Covid-19 hit India?

India continues to report a spike, but experts are divided on whether the surge is a wave yet or a ripple

Updated On: 30 Mar 2023 | 11:42 PM IST

Centre asks states to ramp up Covid-19 preparedness as cases rise

At 1,890, India's Covid-19 count rises to five-month high

Updated On: 27 Mar 2023 | 9:51 PM IST

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PM holds Covid meeting amid renewed concerns, says 'pandemic far from over'

The high-level meeting, chaired by the PM, came against the backdrop of a spike in influenza as well as Covid-19 cases in the past two weeks

Updated On: 22 Mar 2023 | 10:58 PM IST

Maharashtra records 17 new Covid cases in a day; active tally at 80

As many as 6,13,962 passengers arrived at Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur international airports and of these, 13,912 underwent RT-PCR test

Updated On: 28 Jan 2023 | 9:50 PM IST

No new Covid case in Delhi in a day for first time since pandemic began

The two months saw hospitals and family members of patients scrambling for oxygen and doctors being burdened beyond their capacities

Updated On: 16 Jan 2023 | 11:44 PM IST

Kerala govt makes masks mandatory in public places amid risng Covid cases

In its order, dated January 12, the state government has also directed to take effective measures for ensuring social distancing to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the state

Updated On: 16 Jan 2023 | 11:05 PM IST

Coronavirus XBB.1.5 variant cases rise to 26 in India: INSACOG data

The INSACOG data also showed that 14 cases of BF.7 strain which is apparently driving China's Covid-19 wave have been found in India

Updated On: 16 Jan 2023 | 10:59 PM IST

Govt panel recommends market authorisation for Covovax jab as booster dose

Covovax is manufactured through technology transfer from Novavax

Updated On: 12 Jan 2023 | 7:10 PM IST

No immediate Covid-19 outbreak threat from China, says WHO Europe director

Any measure should be rooted in science, ... proportionate and non discriminatory

Updated On: 10 Jan 2023 | 11:27 PM IST

Mumbai reports nine new Covid-19 cases in a day; active tally now 29

So far, 1,86,49,078 coronavirus tests have been conducted in the city, including 2,612 in the last 24 hours

Updated On: 06 Jan 2023 | 11:08 PM IST

China seeks to minimise coronavirus risk during Lunar New Year travel rush

On Sunday, China is also ending mandatory quarantines for people arriving from abroad

Updated On: 06 Jan 2023 | 11:05 PM IST

Covid infection reshapes immune status depending on gender: Study

Tsang, a professor at Yale University, had long believed that the immune system reverts to the previous stable baseline after viral infection

Updated On: 06 Jan 2023 | 8:37 PM IST

Covid-19 pandemic reduces Australian life expectancy, says report

In the first week of August alone there were 4,200 deaths -- 20 per cent higher than the historical weekly average

Updated On: 06 Jan 2023 | 8:09 PM IST

Maharashtra reports 16 new Covid cases, zero death; active tally at 140

The coronavirus death toll remained unchanged at 1,48,417. On Tuesday, Maharashtra had reported 22 COVID-19 cases and zero fatality

Updated On: 04 Jan 2023 | 11:42 PM IST

WHO worried about surge of Covid cases in China amid lack of information

WHO emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan said the testing protocols implemented by some countries were not a restriction against travel

Updated On: 04 Jan 2023 | 11:12 PM IST

Genome sequencing detects four cases of Omicron sub-variant BF.7 in Bengal

The condition of the four patients is stable

Updated On: 04 Jan 2023 | 10:46 PM IST

Maharashtra records eight new Covid-19 cases in a day; active tally 159

The case fatality rate in the state stood at 1.82 per cent

Updated On: 02 Jan 2023 | 11:50 PM IST

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Karnataka makes masks mandatory in public places, increases Covid testing

State govt tells revellers to end New Year celebrations before 1 am; Centre readies for mock drills today

Updated On: 26 Dec 2022 | 10:18 PM IST

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Statsguru: Covid-19 fears return; vaccination rates still low in India

Around 50 per cent of people over 60 years of age are fully vaccinated. Vaccination is significantly lower for the rest of the country

Updated On: 26 Dec 2022 | 12:15 AM IST