Delta is spreading quickly across the world

Cyprus International University (CIU), Faculty of Pharmacy Vice Dean and Molecular Microbiologist, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ender Volkan Çınar, explained that in India during October 2020, a variant named B.1.617 of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus that is the cause of COVID-19 was defined, and that this variant is spreading across society a lot quicker.

Reminding that the World Health Organization decided to name the SARS-CoV-2 variants with letters from the Greek alphabet, Assist. Prof. Dr. Çınar advised that the new variant in question has been determined as Delta.

Stating as, like the other variants, this variant has significant differences in the 'spike' protein compared to the original virus, Çınar underlined the fact that this difference enables it to connect to the human cell faster and enter it easier.

Highlighting that molecular differences such as this enable the Delta variant, like the other variants, to spread quicker, Assist. Prof. Dr. Çınar went on to advise, “For example, the Alpha variant that has been seen commonly in our country (compared to the English variant), on a ratio, has spread 50-60% easier than other examples across the world”.

Reminding of the Indian example, Çınar explained that this variant has led to a sudden and fast increase in case numbers.

Explaining that this sudden increase in patient numbers can lead to hospital capacities being filled, Çınar emphasized that in the case of excessive accumulation, it will lead to treatable patients not receiving any service.

Providing information in relation to scientific studies that have been performed upon the Delta variant, Çınar concluded, “In cases where the dose of the vaccine has not been completed, it is indicated that the protection is low. These studies were conducted with EMA-approved vaccines”.

Çınar stated that the studies in question additionally revealed that the natural antibodies that are formed in the bodies of people who have contracted the COVID-19 disease with previous variants have a low level of protection against the Delta variant.