The world faces a protracted pandemic

Scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health T.H. Chan say that delta-like strains will prolong the pandemic indefinitely, the coronavirus will not go anywhere.

The results of their research are published in the journal Cell, talks about them RIA News… According to scientists, the main characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 delta strain can lead to a protracted pandemic: the speed of transmission and the ability to re-infection. Various mutations of COVID-19 differ in their “abilities” – the British “alpha” and Indian “delta” in all their “glory” demonstrated their aggression and caused many deaths. Beta turned out to be less viable and only slightly threatened, retreating in the event of a strong immune response.

Researchers have developed a model that demonstrates the interaction of various populations with control methods – vaccination, mask regimen, keeping distance. Several possible options were analyzed, taking into account the combination of 2 signs:

the rate of infection, like that of the alpha strain: partial, like that of the beta strain, evading immunity; the combination of the first two properties, characteristic of the delta strain; option without the listed signs.

In the course of the study, it was found that the greatest concern is caused by the Indian strain, which combines the properties of alpha and beta variants. Mary Bushman, one of the study’s authors, argues that only mass vaccinations can cope with the delta strain:

“We need people to understand that the emergence of options like delta makes vaccination even more important. Even if we cannot eradicate the virus, we can ensure that people will face it prepared.”

According to Johns Hopkins University, since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 256 million people have been infected with coronavirus in the world, 5.1 million have died. The most difficult situation is in the USA, India, Brazil, Great Britain and Russia.

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