Ask a virologist: What’s the deal with the delta variant?

The delta COVID variant has been making headlines globally as countries adjust their policies to fight this emerging viral strain. Why is it so dangerous, and which vaccines are proven to work against it? Formosa News reporter Stephany Yang speaks to a virologist to get answers. Taiwan reported its first local cases of the delta variant last week, in Pingtung County. Central and local governments went on red alert, ramping up testing and vaccination at the outbreak''s epicenter. Virologist Shih Shin-ru 施信如, director of Chang Gung University emerging viral infections director, says that delta can spread fast if it''s allowed to take hold of a community. [[TGA]]Based on the currently available data, the variant is 60% more transmissible than the alpha strain first detected in the U.K. Shih Shin-ru Chang Gung University emerging viral infections director According to the U.K report, it becomes 60% more in comparison of U.K variant in terms of transmissibility and more deadly. It''s not clear yet, but according to some data from Singapore, the need of oxygen mask and also the rate to ICU become higher so indicating that it may be more severe and more virulent strain. As far as symptoms go, what are the differences between the alpha variant and the delta variant? Shih says they''re similar, in that they both cause respiratory symptoms. She says the main difference between the strains is that delta infects young adults and children more easily. Shih Shin-ru Chang Gung University emerging viral infections director Actually, it seems not too much difference for me. All are respiratory tract infections symptoms. For example, the fever, sore throat, runny nose, and pneumonia. But, I think younger people got infected. Because for alpha variant, not so many young people got infected, but for the delta, more younger people and even younger children got infected. Are the vaccines available in Taiwan able to fend off the delta strain? Shih Shin-ru Chang Gung University emerging viral infections director For AstraZeneca, there is a report in the U.K, in Scotland actually, they compared BNT and AZ vaccines. It seems like the vaccine efficacy dropped from 92% to 79% for BNT vaccine, and 73% to 60% for AZ vaccine. If you get two shots, it would have a better protection. Even though the BNT vaccine seems like the protection efficacy is higher than AstraZeneca vaccine but in terms of to protect hospitalization, both of them are very good, and over 90%. Over the past few weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases in Taiwan has slowly tapered off. The virologist says it''s clear that Taiwan is bringing the outbreak under control, but the risk of another flareup remains. Shih Shin-ru Is Taiwan well-controlled? Yes, I think it''s under control so far in Taiwan because there are only very few cases of delta variant. I believe early detection is very important. If we can detect it earlier, so we can contain it. I would strongly suggest people that whenever you got some symptoms for respiratory tract infection, such as sore throat or runny nose or fever, just go for PCR test. I think getting the vaccination is very important, but it seems not so easy to get sufficient amount of vaccines so far. So before reach herd immunity, I think early detection is very important, and also of course also we should wear masks, wash hands, and social distance. Shih urges the public to get tested for COVID if they have symptoms, and to continue to social distance, wear masks, and wash their hands.