What You Need to Know About the COVID-19 Delta Variant

What is the Delta variant?

The Delta variant (from India) can spread more easily, has mutations on the spike protein that make it easier for it to infect human cells. It is about 50% more contagious than the Alpha variant (from the U.K.) which was already 50% more contagious than the original one from China in 2019.

What are the symptoms of the Delta variant?

The symptoms are similar to those seen with the original coronavirus strain and other variants, including a persistent cough, headache, fever, and sore throat.

Headache, sore throat, runny nose, and fever seem to be more common while cough and loss of smell seem to be less common.

Is the Delta variant more deadly?

The Delta variant does seem to be more likely to lead to hospitalisation and death, particularly among unvaccinated people.

What does the Delta variant mean for the unvaccinated?

People who haven’t been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are most at risk. Kids and younger adults who haven’t been vaccinated may be susceptible as well.

What does the Delta variant mean for the vaccinated?

In a preliminary analysis, two doses of the Pfizer vaccine appeared to be about 88% effective against disease and 96% effective against hospitalisation with the Delta variant. The AstraZeneca vaccine was about 60% effective against disease and 93% effective against hospitalisation.

Please get vaccinated. It is your best way to protect yourself, your loved one and the community.