Scientists have uncovered the real danger of the delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
In their opinion, it is undoubtedly more infectious, but less dangerous in terms of deaths and hospitalization, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The new form of the pathogen B.1.617.2 is the most aggressive towards young people and schoolchildren with a fairly strong immune system. Perhaps that is why their organisms actively resist infection, the disease proceeds in a mild form and without complications. Elderly people, who have a high risk of serious consequences after illness, become infected with the Indian strain less often.
Data from British researchers show that the delta strain is about 2 times more infectious than the Wuhan (alpha) strain, but there is no evidence that it causes more severe consequences for the body. Judge for yourself: the death rate from the alpha variant is 2%, the delta strain is 0.3%.
Peter Collignon, a professor of microbiology at the Australian National University, believes that such indicators can be caused by two reasons: either young people are more likely to be infected with this strain, or the virus has evolved. As a rule, infectious agents that circulate in the human population become less dangerous over time. They evolve in such a way that they multiply longer in the host organism, while not leading to serious consequences.
The vaccines currently in use are the most effective against the delta strain. Two doses of Pfizer guarantee 96% protection against the virus, eliminating the risk of hospitalization. Two doses of AstraZeneca provide 92% protection. It is thanks to mass vaccination, despite a sharp increase in infections with a new strain, that mortality in the UK has stabilized – about 10 people die from the effects of the coronavirus in the country every day.
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