An updated guidance was released by the CDC on July 27, 2021, on the requirement of increasing Covid-19 vaccination coverage in areas of substantial or high transmission. The CDC also recommends everyone wear a mask in public indoor places even after getting fully vaccinated. The guidelines were issued following concerning developments and fresh data emerging.
As people were expressing cautious optimism that the Covid-19 pandemic may recede into the background with a drop in the number of reported infections, a quick reversal of the downward trajectory was observed after the CDC report became publicly available.
If the seven-day average was around 12,000 cases in late June, the number increased dramatically by July 27, taking the average cases to 60,000. The numbers were similar to the cases reported before the vaccine became widely available.
Of significant concern is the Delta variant of the Covid-19 pandemic first identified in India and spreading rapidly through the country before moving over to Great Britain and finally the US. The CDC reported that the Delta variant of Covid-19 is more transmissible than other viruses that cause the cold and influenza besides smallpox, MERS, Sars, & Ebola, calling it as contagious as chickenpox. In addition, the Delta variant of Covid-19 spread in areas with low vaccination rates and spread faster than the original version.
Anyone wondering what the symptoms of the Delta variant are must realize that some signs that the cough and loss of smell are less familiar with the Delta variant even as headaches, runny nose, and fever are present according to surveys conducted in the United Kingdom where more than 90 percent of the cases are resulting from the Delta variant.
The Delta variant symptoms are similar to the original version of Covid-19. However, healthcare providers are observing people getting sicker faster, including younger people. In addition, the up-to-date analysis states the Delta variant expands rapidly to higher levels in the respiratory tract.
Vaccinated people remain asymptomatic and may display mild symptoms if affected by the Delta variant again. They experience symptoms similar to a common cold, fever, or headache accompanied by a significant loss of smell.
Delta variant symptoms in children came as a surprise because the earlier versions of coronavirus had left children alone for the better part. Unfortunately, the Delta variant is twice as contagious and takes a considerable toll on unvaccinated children under 12. The American Academy of Pediatrics reported on August 5 that nearly 94,000 pediatric Covid-19 cases had come to light.
It is too early to describe whether there are significant differences of the Delta variant vs. the earlier variants. However, the most common symptoms in children and teenagers are cough and fever with nasal symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, and rashes happening intermittently. Earlier children didn’t display any Covid-19 signs. However, the Delta variant is creating more symptoms in children than was evident in adults earlier.
If affected by the Delta variant, symptoms last for approximately as long as the original virus continuing for about two weeks. Therefore, the treatment options remain the same even if the infected person is admitted to a hospital with severe symptoms of the Delta variant than people infected with Covid strains of other types.
Delta variant cases continue to spread like wildfire ever since it was first identified in December 2020. As a result, the variant became a predominant strain of the coronavirus pandemic in India, the UK, and the US. Mexico, unfortunately, has broken the record among the Delta variant surge.
Delta variant deaths are expected to surge thrice the number in America by mid-October when the surge is expected to peak after steadily accelerating through the summer and fall. The research is a dampener on many parents looking forward to the oncoming school year, employers planning to get people back to the workplace, and everyone hoping the days of national surges were long past.
The Delta variant of the Covid-19 pandemic is matching the most pessimistic scenarios, mentions an epidemiologist from the University of North Carolina, Justin Lessler. However, synergistic effects are expected, with people becoming less cautious about the impact of the Delta variant.
Dr. Lakhvinder Wadhwa mentions vaccines in the country are highly effective against all variants of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the Delta variant.
In addition, the doctor from Germantown Primary Healthcare adds measures are necessary to reduce the transmission of the Delta variant by considering layered prevention strategies, vaccine effectiveness, and vaccine coverage to prevent the transmission of this version of Covid-19.
Prevention strategies like wearing a mask and getting vaccinated are perhaps excellent options to halt or slow down the spread of the Delta variant. However, of concern is the low vaccination coverage in many communities driving the rapid surge in cases associated with the Delta variant increasing the chances of more variants emerging as they have done in Brazil and South Africa.
