It’s common for a virus to mutate and create new strains that could be potentially worse than the original virus. In the case of COVID, numerous mutations have occurred, but the Delta variant is spreading rapidly and causing great concern. As it spreads across the world, more questions arise about who is safe from the virus and what you need to do to remain healthy.
We took a look at where the Delta variant is most prevalent, who it affects the most, how symptoms have evolved, and whether the vaccines are effective against it.
Stats from the CDC: Delta variant hot spots
Does the COVID vaccine protect against the Delta variant?
Those who are vaccinated are still at risk for catching the Delta variant. “Vaccine alone won’t stop community transmission,” according to Dr. Mariangela Simao, the WHO assistant director-general for access to medicines and health products, who spoke at a news briefing at WHO’s Geneva headquarters. While most agree that vaccines do protect against the Delta variant, it’s not perfect protection. Those who are only partially vaccinated are at great risk, though symptoms of those vaccinated seem to be less severe in many cases.
Experts agree that the vaccine protects against serious illness and death from COVID, and a recent study by Yale University and the Commonwealth Fund says that the COVID-19 vaccines have saved hundreds of thousands of lives and prevented more than a million hospitalizations in the U.S.
According to the study, by the end of June, it's estimated that 279,000 more people would have died due to COVID-19 — that's around 46% more deaths. Additionally, they report 1.25 million more hospitalizations would have happened without the vaccines.
