The COVID-19 pandemic has been ravaging the world for more than a year now, and variants of the virus continue to emerge. Delta, the variant first discovered in India, is considered to be more contagious than previous strains of the virus.

There are several ways in which Delta manages to evade our immune defenses, making it a cause for concern for the scientific community and healthcare professionals.

Mutation of Spike Protein

The spike protein of the coronavirus is the key that allows it to enter human cells. This protein is the primary target of the vaccines that have been developed to combat the virus.

However, Delta has mutated the spike protein, making it more effective at entering cells. This means that the antibodies produced by the current vaccines may not be as effective against Delta. In addition, the mutations also make it harder for our immune system to recognize and fight off the virus.

Rapid Reproduction

Delta reproduces faster than previous strains of the virus, which means that infected individuals can quickly spread the virus to others. This also means that the virus is able to reproduce faster within our bodies, overwhelming our immune system.

As a result, patients infected with Delta tend to have higher viral loads, making them more contagious and increasing the risk of severe disease.

Lowering Vaccine Efficacy

While vaccines have been developed to protect against COVID-19, their efficacy may be lower against Delta.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was only 88% effective against symptomatic disease caused by Delta, compared to 93.7% against the original strain. Similarly, the AstraZeneca vaccine showed reduced efficacy against Delta, with a study from Scotland showing that it was only 60% effective against symptomatic disease caused by the Delta variant, compared to 73% against the Alpha variant.

Breakthrough Infections

Breakthrough infections occur when fully vaccinated individuals become infected with the virus. Delta has been found to be more effective at causing breakthrough infections than previous strains of the virus.

In addition, breakthrough infections caused by Delta tend to be more severe. According to a study from Israel, individuals infected with Delta after being fully vaccinated had a higher risk of hospitalization than those infected with other strains of the virus.

Higher Risk of Hospitalization and Death

Delta has also been associated with higher rates of hospitalization and death. According to a study from the UK, individuals infected with Delta were more likely to be hospitalized than those infected with other strains of the virus.

The study also found that the risk of death was higher among individuals infected with Delta compared to other strains of the virus. The CDC has also reported that Delta is associated with a higher rate of hospitalization and death.

Impact on Children

Delta is also affecting children more severely than previous strains of the virus. This is partly because children under 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination, leaving them vulnerable to infection.

A study from the UK found that children infected with Delta were more likely to be admitted to hospitals compared to those infected with other strains of the virus. In addition, a study from India found that Delta was associated with a higher rate of hospitalization and death among children.

Transmission by Asymptomatic Individuals

Asymptomatic individuals infected with Delta have been found to be highly contagious. This means that even individuals who do not show any symptoms can still spread the virus to others.

This is particularly concerning as it makes it harder to control the spread of the virus, and individuals may not even be aware that they are infected.

Lessons Learned

Delta has highlighted the need for continued vigilance in the fight against COVID-19. It has shown that the virus is constantly evolving and that we need to be prepared for new variants that may emerge in the future.

It has also highlighted the importance of vaccination in protecting against COVID-19. While the current vaccines may have reduced efficacy against Delta, they still provide significant protection against severe disease and hospitalization. Getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19.

Conclusion

Delta is a cause for concern for healthcare professionals and the scientific community. The mutations of the spike protein, rapid reproduction, and lowered vaccine efficacy make it harder for our immune system to recognize and fight off the virus.

The impact on children, breakthrough infections, and transmission by asymptomatic individuals make it harder to control the spread of the virus. However, by continuing to follow public health guidelines and getting vaccinated, we can work to protect ourselves and others from the effects of Delta and future variants of the virus.