LONDON/NEW DELHI (DPA) – The delta version of the coronavirus, which was initially discovered in India, may cause more serious COVID-19 diseases, according to preliminary findings from the English health authority.
“Early findings from England and Scotland suggest that there may be a higher risk of hospitalization than the alpha version,” states a current risk assessment from Public Health England. Variant B.1.1.7, first discovered in Great Britain, is known as the alpha version. Some areas saw an increase in hospital admissions, but according to the authority, the national trend cannot be predicted right now.
However, there is already clear evidence that the delta version is probably more contagious than the alpha version. Based on various analyses, Public Health England assumes a “significantly increased growth rate” with a high degree of probability. SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach spoke on the Delta version with a view to reporting “bad news.”
A preprint study from India also deals with the delta edition. Researchers at the National Center for Disease Control in New Delhi, among others, believe the transferability is 50 percent higher than that of the alpha version. So the delta variant can cause a very rapid spread, infecting even people who have been vaccinated. The study said that previous infections and incomplete vaccination were not enough to stop the spread of the delta variant, as seen in Delhi.
Vaccination against delta mutants is likely to work, but perhaps less efficiently than other variants. According to Public Health England, vaccination protection after a second dose with Delta should be significantly better than after just one dose – although it is probably slightly less than with the alpha version. According to the authority, there are still uncertainties with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
“Vaccination and especially second vaccination is essential for protection against virus mutants,” tweeted Karsten Watzl, general secretary of the German Society for Immunology. “Beta and delta are neutralized only if both can evade the immune response.”
According to the Indian study, it is still unclear whether the delta variant leads to higher mortality. In India, the temporary collapse of the health system could have caused more deaths.
According to data from the Robert Koch Institute, the Delta variant continues to play a subordinate role in Germany. Their share of samples tested in the week of May 17 to 23 was 2.1 per cent. This comes from the RKI report from Wednesday evening. The Alpha variant dominates with 93 per cent.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210604-99-862366/3
Devoted problem solver. Tv advocate. Avid zombie aficionado. Proud twitter nerd. Subtly charming alcohol geek.
