SARS CoV-2 (The Delta Variant)

August 06, 2021

SARS CoV-2 (The Delta Variant)

It is popularly known as B.1.6.17.2 strain.

It has shown a vast spread over i.e., approx. 90 countries, in UK it accounts more than 90% of cases

This variant showing huge wave of infections across India. Dr. Anthony Fauci suggested that it is a greatest threat to country to eradicate covid-19

The countries with high vaccination rate can be protected against this threat, the vaccines act as a shield towards this strain.

Variants of concern:

There are 4 “variants of concern” and 7 “variants of interest”

Delta variant is considered as the variant of concern with the parameters mentioned below:

• Increase in transmissibility

• More virulent in nature

• Decrease in effectiveness in public

Behind this there are some more variants which are considered as variants of concern α, β, ϒ and delta

All these viruses show their nature to mutate, but not all the mutations are serious and cannot be considered, whereas delta variant shows some considerable mutations. which are of following:

✓ Spike protein of virus-crown(coronavirus)

✓ Studies shown that the spike hooks onto receptors called ACE-2 receptor (major way of spreading infection)

✓ Modifications in spike of virus which enables the spike to attach ACE-2 receptors

✓ Modifications or mutations in receptors are as follows:

✓ E484Q, L452R, P614R – allows Fittest &faster spreading of viruses

Symptoms:

∆ Headache

∆ Sore throat

∆ Runny nose

∆ Loss of taste & smell

∆ Fatigue

∆ Muscle/ body aches

∆ Congestion, vomiting & diarrhea and so on.

According to WHO the studies indicate that it is 50-60% more transmissible than other strains. The people infected with other strains like α, β, ϒ will have a chance to infect 4 people whereas, people infected with delta strain can infect more than 7 people.

This is a variant with high reproduction rate.

Can we protect ourselves from delta virus by vaccination?

People who are fully vaccinated with 2 doses of vaccine have more chances of protecting themselves from delta strain than people with no vaccination & had been vaccinated with 1st dose.

Whereas, in countries like UK, US and the people where half of the people were fully vaccinated so, they may have chances to escape this major threat or have less chances of exposing to this mutant.

What about India? Let’s discuss:

In countries like India, where many myths about the vaccine are going behind & people are afraid to get vaccinated should face major consequences during this wave or towards this strain.

According to some research studies, approx.30%of people are vaccinated with 2 doses will have less chances of exposure toward delta strain and 50% with 1st dose should face many difficulties if they are infected with this strain before fully vaccinated.

The students or people who are not eligible for vaccination (below 18 years) have a greatest threat during this wave. As major part of the country contains students, we can say that our country is under greatest threat as danger bells are ringing for young generations.

Preventive measures needed to be taken:

The following the preventive measures and the major steps to be taken are following:

✓ Using masks, even if fully vaccinated

✓ Sanitization

✓ Social distancing, (we cannot only protect ourselves but, we can protect a society from getting infected)

✓ Avoid rubbing of eyes or nose without sainting your hands, as these are the major entry points for virus

✓ Educate people about vaccination (reduce the threat)

✓ Follow effective diet plan which boost our immunity

✓ Behind this there are major preventive measures are to be taken towards our younger generations, as they are under great threat (which may also vanish half of the young generations)

✓ Lastly, stay home. Prefer going out, if needed with sheilds which are major sources of protection (masks, sanitizer, social distancing)

✓ Think positive and stay negative (towards covid)