The Intelligence from The Economist Repetitive strains: SARS-CoV-2 variants
Jul 2, 2021
Natasha Loder, a health policy editor and expert in infectious diseases, joins Tom Gardner, an Addis Ababa correspondent covering the Ethiopian conflict. They dive into the concerning spread of the Delta variant and discuss potential future mutations and their impact on global vaccination efforts. The conversation shifts to the Tigray conflict, analyzing the implications of recent military developments and the humanitarian crisis. Additionally, they explore the cultural significance of the Fourth of July and the challenges faced by films attempting to capture its spirit.
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Delta Variant Dominance
- The Delta variant is rapidly becoming the dominant COVID-19 strain globally, raising concerns.
- Its high transmissibility, estimated as high as eight, poses significant challenges, especially in unvaccinated populations.
Delta Variant Transmissibility
- The Delta variant's transmissibility is much higher than the original strain, potentially reaching a reproductive number of eight.
- This high transmissibility overwhelms healthcare systems, as seen in India, emphasizing the need for vaccination, especially in low-income countries.
Vaccine Effectiveness Against Delta
- While vaccines effectively prevent severe illness and death from all variants, their protection against transmission is lower for Delta.
- This is evident in Israel, where many fully vaccinated individuals contracted Delta, highlighting the variant's ability to evade immunity.
