The Delta Variant of COVID-19 was the major cause of fast transmission and oxygen depletion in patients during the second wave of COVID-19 in India. COVID-19 variations have been categorised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Variants of Interest, Variants of Concern, and Variants of High Consequence. This classification is based on evidence of how quickly the virus spreads and how serious instances it can cause, leading to lower efficacy of vaccines or other medicines, increased hospitalization, and disruptive diagnostic tests. According to the CDC, there are no SARS-CoV-2 mutations that may be classed as variants of high concern at this time.

The Delta Variation of SARS-CoV-2 is the B.1.617.2 variant. WHO coined the word Delta. It's fascinating to learn about how viruses mutate. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is an RNA virus with approximately 30,000 base pairs of amino acids. Any change or adjustment in these base pairs can result in mutation, and the virus's structure and behavior change. As a result, the delta variant is the result of several mutations in the spike protein. The delta variant is characterized by four alterations that play critical roles.

• L452R mutation
• P681R mutation
• D614G mutation
• T478K mutation

The Delta Variant has recently been discovered to have undergone mutation, and it is now known as the Delta Plus Variant. So, what exactly are these Delta and Delta Plus Variants? Will the current vaccine protect against these variants? How can we safeguard ourselves against these variants? This blog has attempted to discuss every aspect of the COVID variation in order to raise public knowledge.

What exactly is the Delta variant?

The SARS-CoV-2 virus's Delta version (B.1.617.2) has spread rapidly around the globe, infecting 92 countries. It was invented in India. According to researchers, the Delta variant is 40-60% more contagious or transmissible than the Alpha variant (U.K./B.1.1.7) and the original coronavirus strain of 2019. Multiple mutations in the delta version can cause the virus to spread quickly, resulting in more severe COVID waves.

In India, the delta version dominated the whole second wave, which arrived in the country in the second week of February and peaked in May 2021. The delta variant virus caused a significant reduction in oxygen levels in individuals, wreaking havoc across the country.

What exactly is the Delta plus variant?

The Delta plus variant is a subset of the Delta variant that has a K417N mutation in its spike protein. The variety is known as B.1.617.2.1 and is also known as the AY.01 variant. It is thought to be the most dangerous strain of SARS-CoV-2. In March 2021, the first Delta Plus Variant sequence was identified in Europe. Despite its high frequency, the Delta variant's transmission in India has been fairly limited. In India, the Delta plus variant has not yet been designated as a "Variant of Concern," although it is still a "Variant of Interest." Healthcare officials are keeping a tight eye on the new variation. The variation is harmful because it affects those who have been immunised against COVID-19. However, there is little evidence to support the hypothesis that the Delta plus form is particularly transmissible. As of June 21, 2021, twenty-one cases of the Delta Plus form had been reported in India, with four persons dying despite being vaccinated.

According to Professor Shahid Jameel, one of India's leading virologists and a former member of the INSACOG, "the Delta Plus version may be capable of evading immunities that patients obtained from vaccination as well as natural immunity after recovering from COVID," according to an article. This is due to the fact that the Delta plus variant not only has all of the symptoms of the original Delta variant, but it also has symptoms from its partner Beta variant (K417N mutation).”

Are Delta and Delta Plus vaccinations effective?

Scientists' laboratory experiments have revealed that the Delta Variant is more resistant to vaccinations than other variants and highly communicable. According to a reputable journal, antibody levels in persons who received particular mRNA vaccines were six times lower in the presence of the Delta variation as compared to antibody levels against the original COVID-19 strain for which the vaccine was developed.

Real-world observations and data, on the other hand, will differ and play a crucial part in assessing the vaccine's effectiveness against delta variants. According to statistics published by Public Health England, a specific mRNA vaccination protects 96 percent of hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant. The Adenovirus Vaccine also showed 60?ficacy against the delta variant.

When it comes to the Delta Plus variation, scientists claim it is a more harmful variant since it transmits faster. However, little is known regarding its severity or resistance to antibodies. According to some studies, the Delta plus (AY.1) is resistant to a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies, although additional research is needed in this area. Several studies are being conducted in India and around the world to assess the efficacy of vaccinations against the Delta plus Covid-19 mutation.

Steps to protect against and prevent the spread of the Delta and Delta Plus variants of COVID-19

• Only leave your residence when absolutely essential.
• Put on a face mask while going outside.
• Before leaving and entering the house, thoroughly wash your hands with sanitizer and soap.
• Take the vaccination. Don't forget to get your immunizations. The delta plus form may have dominated vaccines in the laboratory, but we still don't know how it will behave in big populations. So, get vaccinated to protect yourself and your family.
• Maintain your social distance. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth until you have washed your hands first.
• If you have a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other COVID-19 sign, remove yourself from your family and see a doctor very far away.
• The main symptoms of the delta version include headache, sore throat, and a runny nose. So, keep an eye out for such a sign.

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