The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everyone’s life on this planet since its inception. It has taken so many innocent lives, left so many families broken and disrupted the education of millions of children.

As the world was trying to come back to normalcy, a new threat emerged in the form of Delta variant.

The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, is a highly transmissible variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

This variant has been identified as a “Variant of Concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO) and has now become the dominant strain of the virus in many countries around the world.

What is the Delta Variant?

The Delta variant of the COVID virus first became prominent in India in December 2020. The variant is classified as “variant of concern” by the WHO due to its increased transmissibility and its ability to evade the immune system.

The Delta variant is 60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant, which was previously the dominant strain in many countries. It means that people infected with this variant can easily transmit it to others who come in contact with them.

This is a major concern particularly for children, who tend to have more social interactions and less adherence to preventive measures such as wearing masks and social distancing.

Impact of the Delta Variant on Children

The Delta variant has not left anyone unscathed as it has affected people of all age groups. However, children seem to be more vulnerable to this variant than the earlier strains.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there has been a significant rise in COVID-19 cases among children since the onset of the Delta variant.

Children are less likely to have severe symptoms compared to adults. However, Delta variant spreads more easily than other variants, leading to a higher number of children getting infected.

The Delta variant can cause viral load to increase as well, resulting in kids shedding more virus and spreading it more efficiently, even if they have mild or no symptoms.

The Delta variant has also raised concerns about the ongoing reopening of schools. It is believed that children, who are not yet vaccinated, are more prone to getting infected in the school environment.

The reopening of schools without proper protocols in place can cause large outbreaks and result in the temporary closure of schools, a delay in scheduled activities, and another academic year compromised.

Precautionary Measures

The best way to protect children from the Delta variant is through vaccination. However, vaccines are not yet available to children under the age of 12 years.

According to Dr Anthony Fauci, the US’s leading infectious disease expert, vaccines for children under 12 could be available as early as late autumn or early winter.

Until children are eligible for vaccination, it is vital to take all possible measures to keep them safe.

Parents, teachers, and caregivers must do everything in their power to minimize exposure to the virus and practice preventive measures such as wearing masks, social distancing, and hand hygiene. This practice would require parents to assist schools in following these protocols diligently and consistently.

Conclusion

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is a massive threat to children across the world. It’s important that parents and caregivers remain vigilant and take all necessary safety measures to keep children as safe as possible.

If parents are eligible for vaccination, they should consider getting vaccinated to minimise their family’s risk. Schools must take additional precautions in their reopening procedures and follow thoroughly the guidelines for public health. If everyone works together and follows meticulously the guidelines, we can slow the spread and keep children safe.