- Scientists believe the Delta variant is being transmitted up to 60 percent faster than the Alpha variant, which was thought to spread 50 percent quicker than the original strain that hit in 2019.
- Experts think the COVID-19 Delta variant is much more contagious than the flu and chickenpox, and on par with the measles.
- In a
recent paper , people with the Delta variant had much higher viral loads than those who had the original version of the coronavirus
Health officials recently labeled the COVID-19 Delta variant the fastest and fittest version of the coronavirus we’ve seen so far.
Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to release new evidence on Friday suggesting that the variant may be as transmissible as chickenpox.
A recently leaked document from the CDC also said the Delta variant is more transmissible than the common cold, 1918 Spanish flu, smallpox, Ebola, MERS, and SARS, according to the New York Times.
The document also suggests the Delta variant may cause more severe illness. However, there isn’t enough data to say that’s definitely the case.
The CDC also suspects that vaccinated people who get breakthrough cases may have the potential to transmit the virus to others.
People who get the Delta variant reportedly have higher viral loads compared to those with the original strain. Researchers are currently looking into how viral loads in vaccinated people translate to how transmissible it is.
The COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective against severe illness and death from developing the disease.
If you’re unvaccinated, the best way to protect yourself from severe complications due to the Delta variant is to get vaccinated as soon as possible — and encourage those around you to do so, too.
Source: healthline