DELTA Variant COVID and Why It's Concerning! - Doctor Mike Hansen
Delta Variant COVID, aka B.1.617.2, has been spreading across the globe. It will soon be the dominant form in the US.
Is it more contagious?
Will the vaccines work against it?
Is it a deadlier disease with worse symptoms?
Timestamps ⏩
00:00 Intro
00:45 Does the Delta Variant Cause more Severe Disease?
01:05 How Contagious is the Covid Delta Variant?
03:31 Are Covid Vaccines Effective against the Covid Delta Variant?
04:26 Delta Variant COVID and Different Symptoms
In a study done in Scotland, which was published in The Lancet, researchers showed that the risk of being hospitalized with the COVID Delta variant is double that of the alpha variant. Recently the covid delta variant has made its way to the US, constituting 10% of COVID cases. However, that figure is doubling every two weeks, and it's only a matter of time before it becomes the dominant strain. It makes up about 25% of cases in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming in the Midwest.
In a study done in the UK from May 20 to Jun 7th, the researchers, led by Steven Riley, looked at their data, which suggest that the covid delta variant is about 60% more transmissible than the alpha, which was the variant first identified in the UK, which was more contagious than the original strain that originally emerged from Wuhan. Furthermore, they showed a doubling time of 11 days with the delta variant and an estimated R (reproductive) number of 1.44. And those younger than age 50 were 2.5 times more likely to be infected than older people.
The data showed that the covid Delta variant's affinity for the ACE2 receptor was slightly better than the original Wuhan strain. One of the delta’s mutations in its RBD is what allows for this. The virus uses its spike protein to bind to the ACE2 receptor in the body. It’s the key in the lock analogy. The virus then fuses with the cell membrane. This process relies on cleavage. Meaning enzymes on the cell membrane cut the spike protein at two different sites, triggering the cell to engulf the virus. A second delta mutation is in one of these cleavage sites. Better cleavage, better reproduction.
Another takeaway from this study is that the authors concluded that the neutralization of both viruses is reduced compared with the original Wuhan strains. Still, there is no evidence of widespread antibody escape. However, they said the data did suggest that those previously infected with COVID may be more susceptible to reinfection by the new delta variant. Also, it looks like monoclonal antibody treatments are ineffective at treating the delta variant.
The big concern is “vaccine escape,” meaning that the current vaccines will become far less effective as the virus evolved. So far, it hasn’t happened, but eventually, we will need new covid vaccines for the variants, likely a yearly thing. The good news? Covid Vaccines are still protective against the Delta variant. According to research released by Public Health England: For the Pfizer vaccine, after both doses, it was 88% effective in preventing symptomatic disease, 96% effective at preventing hospitalization. The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was 92% effective at preventing hospitalization if they had both shots. If you only get one shot of either of these covid vaccines, the effectiveness is pretty low, around 30-40%. More studies will soon be available when it comes to the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
*emphasis mine
= new reply since forum marked as read
That was the first vaccine available to me (CVS), so that's what I got. My friend works in the ER of the local hospital, so she was the first one I knew who got the vaccine - and she had to drive downstate to a major hospital to get the Pfizer. She had a good experience, just a slightly sore arm, so I hoped to get that vaccine, too, but when the Moderna was offered in this area first, I followed Dr. Fauci's advice and got the vaccine that was available first. I was kinda tickled to learn that he also got the Moderna. 
And I also wear a mask when I go into any grocery, gas station, etc. Until recently, here in New York no one was allowed in any business without a mask. I have been noticing that few people are wearing masks now, though the majority of employees still are, but I'm not taking any chances, either - and only one person said anything. A girl working at the nearby gas station/convenience store pointed out that I didn't need to wear a mask if I'd had my first shot! But this was right after the mask mandate was lifted and I think she was reacting to my vaccination sticker on my jacket 
But this was right at the time when policy changed, until then anyone without a mask couldn't enter the store. I previously saw an older maskless gentleman step inside to peruse the newspaper rack and the young guy behind the counter immediately told him he needed to be wearing a mask. I'm not sure what the employees were told, but the sign on the door changed to saying that vaccinated patrons no longer needed to wear masks, that was it - and I did have that sticker on my jacket.
Since then, I noticed the official name tag on a young guy working there said he was vaccinated. So I asked him if they had to be vaccinated to work there and he said it was optional, so I will continue to wear my mask. 
Thanks so much for posting this, I need to give it a kick, as well! 
It's still early days and the numbers are bound to change as this variant is studied as it spreads. It's now more essential than ever that the youngest kids that can get the vaccine do so ASAP. When I took my brother to the nearby state run vaccine site last month to get his second shot, I noticed a couple of young teens coming out accompanied by their Moms and pose for a photo outside. We can only hope that this becomes a growing trend.
