Dr Ramji Mehrotra | SARS-CoV2 Delta Variant

1. Dr Ramji Mehrotra | SARS-CoV2 Delta Variant What is the Delta variant of Covid-19? The highly transmissible COVID-19 delta variant, also known as B1617.2, originated in India in December 2020. According to experts, the Delta strain caused the second wave of COVID-19 in the country which infected millions and led to thousands of deaths. The World Health Organization has named it as the fourth global ‘variant of concern’, along with the those identified in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil. A variant of concern is a virus with changed characteristics such as increased transmissibility and is detrimental to identified safety measures and diagnostics. Fast Spreading Variant The delta variant is spreading fast and has reached over 85 countries within 6 months after discovery. Studies in the UK have found that delta variant is around 60% more transmissible and more virulent than the alpha variant which was the first variant to be discovered. According to researchers, delta variant is more transmissible than other variants as changes in the variant’s protein can make it easier to enter human cells. Studies also suggest that a mutation in the delta variant helps it blend with human cells once it attaches itself and overpower the immune system. Doctors have said the variant is causing severe symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, hearing loss, and joint pain. However, the Delta variant is unlikely to pose much risk to people who have been fully vaccinated. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the US, has warned that “any country that has the delta variant should be concerned that there will be a surge of infections, particularly if that particular country does not have a substantial proportion of their people vaccinated.”

2. Delta mutates into Delta Plus According Mehrotra,the Delta variant has mutated into a more virulent version called Delta plus or AY.1. Scientists have said that this mutation can resist monoclonal antibody therapy used treatment of patients. to Dr Ramji in COVID-19 the The Delta plus variant is characterized acquisition mutation. The mutation is in by the of K417N the spike protein of SARS-COV-2 which helps the virus enter and infect the human cells. As of now, India is one of the nine countries where the Delta plus variant has been detected. The other countries include the US, UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, Nepal, China and Russia. India has so far reported nearly 50 cases of Delta plus variant, with the maximum number of cases in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. According to officials, the Delta Plus Variant has shown •Increased transmissibility •Stronger binding to receptors of lung cells •Potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response Doctors have reported that the new variant is affecting more young people who haven’t been hospitalized and infecting whole families at the same time instead of just individuals.

3. How to Protect Yourself Dr Ramji Mehrotra, one of the leading names in the field of Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, said that getting vaccinated is the best option to be protected against the virus. In addition, the existing precautionary measures of maintaining physical distancing and wearing masks must be continued, Dr. Mehrotra said. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has said that “Broadly speaking, both the Indian vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin — are effective against Delta variant but to what extent and what is the proportion of antibody titers they produce, that information we would very shortly share.”