This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially declared the Delta variant, a coronavirus strain first detected in India, “a variant of concern.” This designation is given to variants shown to be more transmissible than the original strain, that can cause more severe disease and potentially reduce the effectiveness of treatments or vaccines.
Yahoo News Medical Contributor Dr. Kavita Patel, a primary care physician in Washington, D.C., who also serves as a health policy fellow at the Brookings Institution, answered some questions about the Delta variant, which some experts have called “the most troubling variant by far.” The Delta variant, also referred to as B.1.6.1.7.2 [and] believed to have originated from India, is one of the most concerning variants … It is more likely to lead to disease, hospitalizations and possibly death.
The Delta variant looks like it might be up to 60 percent more infectious, which is why the CDC really put a bold label forward in calling it a variant of concern. They only do that when they think a variant is concerning enough that it could change the course of a disease or potentially pose a threat to someone who gets it.We're already seeing evidence of the Delta variant in the United States.
You need to get the full doses of those vaccines. For the two dose vaccines — Pfizer and Moderna — the initial studies, especially from Pfizer, show that you really do need not just the first but the second dose as well, to get the full protection. After the first dose the efficacy or the effectiveness against the Delta variant is in the thirties to forties [percent] versus after two doses having effectiveness that's in the nineties.
We're currently at about 54 percent [of the U.S. population] who have received one dose. That’s not high enough. That means that 46 percent of our country is still vulnerable. And now to a variant that could lead to a worse illness, it’s easier to infect, and potentially lead to more hospitalizations, which could translate into more deaths. I think that’s something worth remembering when you go out into a population that’s not vaccinated.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
White House to develop antiviral Covid pills as delta variant spreadsThe White House says it will spend $3.2 billion to develop new antiviral, over the counter pills to potentially treat Covid-19 and future viruses. The delta variant now accounts for 10 percent of all U.S. cases. NBCNightlyNews More free money! NBCNightlyNews That’s what leaders do NBCNightlyNews
Source: NBCNews - 🏆 10. / 86 Read more »
Europe Opens Up To American Tourists As Infectious Delta Variant Drives New Covid Surge Across RegionI am a London-based reporter for Forbes covering breaking news. Previously, I have worked as a reporter for a specialist legal publication covering big data and as a freelance journalist and policy analyst covering science, tech and health. I have a master’s degree in Biological Natural Sciences and a master’s degree in the History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Cambridge. Follow me on Twitter theroberthart or email me at rhartforbes.com American plagues are coming Europe opening now is idiocy on steroids. Just sit back and watch it all go pear-shaped... BUT - Merkel: 'UK arrivals in ALL of Europe should be quarantined Delta will account for 90% of EU cases late August EU/EEA: 33.9% of adults are fully vaccinated, and 57.1% have had at least one dose. UK: 50% fully vaccinated; 60% had at least one dose
Source: Forbes - 🏆 394. / 53 Read more »
Delta variant fuelled 50% rise in English COVID prevalence -studyThe rapid spread of the Delta coronavirus variant has driven a 50% rise in infections in England since May, a large prevalence study led by Imperial College London found on Thursday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson delayed the end of restrictions. VindaFlu turned out to be particularly mild I though you promised it would be spicy? It aint over yet! 😷 Even with the uk’s Covid ‘response’ factored in, that’s still high.
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »
Delta COVID-19 variant is now in more than 80 countries, WHO saysThe Delta COVID-19 variant, which was first detected in India, has now been reported in more than 80 countries, according to the World Health Organization. I hope someone is plotting the wave crossing borders it’s trajectory so that when a new variant comes countries know how to stop it.
Source: ABC - 🏆 471. / 51 Read more »
Delta variant behind 50% rise in UK Covid prevalence – latest updatesStudy shows Delta variant fuelled 50% rise in UK Covid prevalence. Other updates: 🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi receives first shipment of Sotrovimab medication 🇩🇪 CureVac's vaccine misses efficacy goal in mass trial 🇧🇷 Brazil reports nearly 3,000 new deaths For more: Japan to lift coronavirus emergency ahead of Olympics. Other key updates: 🇮🇩 Indonesia reports highest rise in cases since January 🇫🇷 France removes Turkey from virus red list 🇰🇪 Kenya medics denounce lack of vaccines More here: Again GazaUnderAttack, Israel defends itself, it's okay death to the Arabs, death to the Palestinians is no problem.IsraeliTerrorism FreePalestine SaveBeita
Source: trtworld - 🏆 101. / 63 Read more »
Fully vaccinated people have gotten the Delta COVID variant. Should we be worried?New data from the U.K. shows the vaccines do a terrific job keeping people out of hospital, even if they get the variant.
Source: Todaysparent - 🏆 313. / 61 Read more »