Published in: The Daily Star
Date: 17 August, 2021

Dr Mir Moyeedul Islam

After weeks of lockdown, the government is allowing return of normalcy for the benefit of general people. The step comes based on a feeling of hope.

But experts warn not to relax the lockdown at this time. They warn that hospitals might not be able to handle the pressure of new cases.

By now, we know that the delta variant spreads quickly and is more infectious than other variants of Covid-19.

As the variant replicates inside the human body faster and more times than the other variants, WHO regards it as the “fastest and fittest” variant.

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people can be affected by it. But greater risk of transmission is seen among unvaccinated people.

Infection by the delta variant produces high virus load in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, therefore fully vaccinated people can also get infected (called “breakthrough infection”) and experience illness.

The good news is that vaccines were designed to protect against severe illness and they are still doing the job.

Recent data suggests that this variant grows more rapidly in nose and the respiratory tract of human body. The symptoms are just like common cold such as cough, headache, fever, and additionally, loss of smell.

The unvaccinated people may suffer from hypoxia and need immediate hospitalisation.

Some limitations noted are that, the vaccine’s neutralising antibodies sometimes fail to bind with spike proteins. Additionally, helper T-cell may also be resistant.

Still, mass vaccination and ensuring health guidelines — such as wearing masks and maintaining distancing are followed — can curb the transmissions and sufferings.

The writer is a former Associate Professor, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College, Dhaka.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/health/disease/coronavirus/news/delta-variant-vs-vaccines-2153911