What is the Delta Plus variant?
“Delta plus describes the next variant of the COVID virus. It has a few genetic sequence changes compared to the original Delta variant,” Nachman explains. “And while it is not yet well-known how much more efficient Delta plus may be at infecting cells than the original Delta variant, we should not be focused on that right now, as the parent strain, called Delta, is the prevalent virus in our communities.” Dr. Adam Brown, MD, the chief impact officer and COVID-19 task force chair at Envision Healthcare, agrees. “At this point, it is too early to tell if the Delta Plus variant will become the dominant strain.” That said, cases of Delta plus are popping up in the United States and beyond. Last Tuesday, South Korea’s Disease Control and Prevention Agency said that it had recorded at least two cases of the new coronavirus Delta-plus variant, and the stain has been detected in 33 other countries, including the United Kingdom and India.As for the differences between Delta and Delta plus, the truth is they’re minimal at best. “The structures of the Delta Plus variant and Delta variant are very similar except for a slight modification in the spike protein,” Brown explains. “There are some changes to the genetic code of this new variant. These are not big genetic changes,” Nachman adds. But they do exist. Preliminary information also suggests that the symptoms are the same. “Scientists believe the early symptoms of the Delta Plus variant are very similar to the Delta variant and the original form of COVID-19,” Brown adds. “However, since this variant is new and more analysis is needed, scientists are uncertain if there is a difference in the severity of symptoms.” What’s more, the protein spike may allow this strain to infect cells more easily. “Currently, scientists are uncertain how different the Delta Plus variant is from the Delta variant and list the new Delta Plus variant as a ‘variant of concern.’ Some believe Delta Plus could be transmitted more easily from person to person and cause more severe illness,” Brown explains. But more information is needed. For perspective, the Delta variant, first found in India, is transmitted more easily than the original form of COVID-19 and is two to three times more contagious than last summer and winter’s strain.
How to protect yourself from the Delta Plus variant
So how can you protect yourself from the Delta variant, and Delta plus? The best way to prevent illness is to get vaccinated and do your best to avoid being exposed. “Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests. “Stay at least six feet (about two arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you. Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, [and] get a COVID-19 vaccine when it’s available to you.” “At this point, I think we need to focus on how to get better control of all COVID infections, not just Delta plus,” Nachman says. “That means, getting everyone who is able to get a vaccine, vaccinated against COVID. Additionally, masks are also important, as they prevent transmission in our schools and our communities.” Next up, here’s everything we know about a potential COVID booster shot so far.
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