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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified the delta variant of the coronavirus as a “variant of concern.” It now accounts for 10% of coronavirus cases in the U.S.
Although the Covid-19 cases have been declining in the United States for a few months now, there is renewed concern that the delta variant could lead to an increase in the number of cases if the vaccination doesn’t cover all eligible people at the earliest.
According to the CDC, the change in classification “is based on mounting evidence that the Delta variant spreads more easily and causes more severe cases when compared to other variants, including B.1.1.7 (Alpha).” The alpha variant was first detected in the United Kingdom, and in April, it became the dominant strain in the U.S.
The U.K. has seen a rapid spread of delta variant forcing its government to postpone the country’s reopening by a month, to July 19. It is feared that the delta variant is leading to hospitalization and other complications.
While around 44% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated, more people need to be added to the list as delta variant is said to be a “super spreader” strain.
Fully getting vaccinated is the only way to protect oneself against the delta variant say, experts. According to a study published in the Lancet, while a single dose of Covid-19 vaccine wasn’t enough, the Pfizer-BioNTech provided 79% protection from the delta variant, the AstraZeneca shots were 92% efficacious against hospitalization.
Top virologist Anthony Fauci has already warned that the delta variant was more lethal and warned against the possibility of an increase in infections wherever the strain was present. “Any country that has the Delta variant should be concerned that there will be a surge of infections,” he said. With the CDC declaring delta variant a “variant of concern”, the seriousness of vaccination may dawn on many.
Read more:
News report
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/15/health/delta-variant-of-concern-cdc-coronavirus/index.html
Effective vaccines against Delta:
https://science.thewire.in/health/two-astrazeneca-shots-92-efficacious-against-hospitalisation-by-delta-variant/
What the experts are saying:
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/newly-deemed-variant-concern-delta-accounts-10-percent-u-s-n1270915