The delta coronavirus variant, which was first detected in India, is now the dominant variant in the UK. Some experts warn that the delta variant may be 100% more transmissible than the previously dominant variant, alpha. But we don’t think that transmissibility alone explains delta’s dominance.

Successful variants often have a biological advantage – through mutation – that helps them spread more easily among the population. And it’s the variants with these mutations that natural selection acts on, ensuring they out-compete other, less transmissible strains.

The delta variant may, however, have a more complicated relationship with people than those that came before it. It is even possible that it was government policies, rather than the variant’s inherent increased transmissibility, that led to its success and dominance in the UK.

To illustrate why, it’s helpful to distinguish between several powerful forces that propel evolutionary change.

The delta coronavirus variant, which was first detected in India, is now the dominant variant in the UK. Some experts warn that the delta variant may be 100% more transmissible than the previously dominant variant, alpha. But we don’t think that transmissibility alone explains delta’s dominance.

Successful variants often have a biological advantage – through mutation – that helps them spread more easily among the population. And it’s the variants with these mutations that natural selection acts on, ensuring they out-compete other, less transmissible strains.

The delta variant may, however, have a more complicated relationship with people than those that came before it. It is even possible that it was government policies, rather than the variant’s inherent increased transmissibility, that led to its success and dominance in the UK.

To illustrate why, it’s helpful to distinguish between several powerful forces that propel evolutionary change.

A third, less well–known force called unconscious selection, is where human interactions with the environment have accidental evolutionary effects. This further subset of natural selection is an important force across the world and is becoming increasingly important as populations grow and people change the global environment.

Read:

https://theconversation.com/covid-did-a-delayed-second-dose-give-the-delta-variant-an-evolutionary-helping-hand-162359