According to a current estimate by the World Health Organization (WHO), the highly contagious and deadly delta variant of the coronavirus, which originated in India, has now reached over 100 countries.
The Delta variant has become a major problem for the UK, causing over 90 percent of the new Covid-19 cases in the country. Scientifically named as B.1.617.2, it’s 40-50 percent more transmissible than the alpha strain.
As scientists around the world try to find out more about this mutation, a message posted on social media has made multiple claims about the symptoms, detection, and severity of the Delta variant.
Read the post here.
India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) is trying to decipher each of the allegations in the viral mail.
Are Delta Induced Covid Symptoms Different?
According to the viral post, the Delta variant wouldn’t cause a cough or fever, but rather joint pain, headache, neck pain, upper back pain, weakness, and loss of appetite. In reality, the symptoms of Delta-induced Covid are similar to those of other strains such as persistent cough, headache, fever, and sore throat.
However, UK Covid patients infected with the Delta variant have reported that some symptoms are slightly different and new to patients.
GP Buddy, an Irish online medical directory for general practitioners, found that a sore throat was the most common symptom reported by patients. This study found that cough was the second most common symptom, followed by nasal congestion, sinus congestion, and then fever.
According to data from the UK’s ZOE COVID Symptom Study, which tracks Covid-19 symptoms that people report themselves through an app, coughing and odor loss appear to be less common. Headache, sore throat, runny nose, and fever seem to be more common.
However, the observations in the UK and the scenario in India may be different. AIIMS director Dr. Randeep Guleria said they saw the same type of symptoms with the Delta variety, with no noticeable difference from previous strains.
Does Delta spread easier?
Yes, Delta spreads 50 percent faster than Alpha, which in turn was 50 percent more contagious than the original SARS-CoV-2 strain.
“In a totally unmitigated environment, with no one vaccinated or wearing masks, it is estimated that the average person infected with the original strain of coronavirus will infect 2.5 other people. In the same setting, Delta would expand from one person to maybe 3.5 or 4 other people, “says Dr. F. Perry Wilson of the Yale School of Medicine.
Is the Delta variant deadlier?
Scientists are still tracking data to determine how deadly the Delta variant is. However, according to a study recently published in The Lancet, the Delta variant appears to be more likely to lead to hospital admissions and deaths in the UK, especially among those who have not been vaccinated.
Where does that affect?
According to the viral claim, the Delta variant has a direct effect on the lungs and is absent from the nasopharyngeal area.
Experts believe it is not entirely true.
“The Delta-Plus variant of Covid-19 has a greater affinity for lung tissue compared to other strains, but that doesn’t mean it causes serious illness or is more communicable,” said Dr. NK Arora, Head of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), the Covid Working Group.
“Delta Plus has a greater affinity for the lining of the lungs, higher than other variants, but whether or not it causes damage is not yet clear. Nor does it mean that this variant causes more serious diseases or is more transmissible.” “Said Dr. Arora in a recent interview.
According to Health Desk, a Covid resource for journalists run by public health experts, all tests for the Delta variant, including those that come back positive, are dabbed into our noses from the “nasopharynx region”. To date, there is no research to suggest that the Delta variant is not detected in the nasopharyngeal area.
Can the RT-PCR test detect Delta?
According to the viral post, no. However, experts say that the current tests can also detect the delta variant.
The “Gold Standard” RT-PCR test and the rapid antigen test continue to work well, and there is no evidence that any of the existing Covid variants could escape diagnosis, including the currently dominant Delta variant. This has been reported by scientists at the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) as reported by “The Hindu”.
“It is extremely rare for RT-PCR tests to get two ‘false negative’ results, and so most test kits are still valid,” said CCMB scientist Divya Tej Sowpati at a recent webinar.
The viral claim also urges people to follow the double masking and maintain social distancing for the Delta variant, which is nothing unique. These protocols apply to all Covid variants.
ALSO READ | Fact check: The Delta Plus virus may have its foot in the door in India, but it is not yet the dreaded third wave
ALSO READ | Shah’s letter to Yogi about Covid vaccinations, which is key to UP surveys, is changed
claimWith Delta-induced Covid there is no fever or cough, but mostly body pain. The Delta strain does not live in the nasopharyngeal region, and nasal swab tests cannot detect this variant.ConclusionDelta-induced Covid symptoms are similar to those caused by previous strains. However, patients in the UK reported other symptoms. RT-PCR tests can detect the delta variant.
JHOOTH BOLE KAUVA KAATE
The number of crows determines the intensity of the lie.
- 1 crow: half-true
- 2 crows: mostly lies
- 3 crows: absolutely wrong
We understand how important it is to choose a chiropractor that is right for you. It is our belief that educating our patients is a very important part of the success we see in our offices.