The Delta variant is currently the dominant mutation in the United States, with about 83% of cases. Experts say the most disturbing variant so far, Delta has great adhesion and spreading capabilities.
According to the World Health Organization, the Delta variant is about 60% more contagious than the Alpha variant discovered in the UK.
Experts say the Delta variant can spread much more easily than all other variants in an environment where people are not vaccinated or use masks.
Scientists have found that people infected with the Delta variant have much higher levels of the virus compared to previous mutations, which results in this variant of the virus being much more contagious.
In the city of Seattle in the state of Washington, public health officials have issued orders for the use of masks in public indoor environments as a result of increased infections with the Delta variant. The order is also being applied to the vaccinated part of the population.
Most Americans who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 say they are unlikely to be immunized, casting doubt that sevaccines are not effective against the Delta variant. The findings were published in a new survey highlighting the challenges faced by public health officials as the number of infections is rising in some states.
A big question mark that has been raised is whether the Delta mutation makes people sicker than the original variant of the virus, something that is still being studied.
But what is known for sure is that people who are not fully vaccinated are most at risk. Hospital authorities across the country say those who are hospitalized with the Delta variant are younger in age, compared to the trend during previous coronavirus waves.
For now, doctors say vaccination is the best protection against the Delta variant.
