Delta variant is 50% more infectious than Alpha, study reveals
The number of deaths in the second wave of corona is certainly higher, but it has not been linked to the delta variant. Officially, one lakh thirty thousand deaths occurred in 45 days from 1 April.
The first corona variant found in India has been named ‘Delta Variant’ by the World Health Organization (WHO). On May 12, this variant was identified with B.1.617. The National Center for Disease Control and Insacog says that this delta variant transmits 40-50 percent faster than the alpha variant (B.1.117).
A top scientist involved in the study told Economic Times, “Our assessment so far has found that the delta variant is at least 40-50 per cent faster in transmission than the alpha. This is the second wave of Covid cases in India. The reason for the rapid rise in the number of deaths in the second wave is certainly higher, but it has not been linked to the delta variant. Officially, one lakh thirty thousand deaths occurred in 45 days from 1 April.
The top scientist said, “The estimates so far do not indicate that the delta variant is the cause of more deaths. It spreads rapidly, so the number of infected is high. Late hospitalization, non-hospitalization or Lack of oxygen availability can also be a reason for more spread of infection.
WHO names the forms of virus found in India
The World Health Organization (WHO) first named the forms of corona virus B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2 found in India as ‘Kappa’ and ‘Delta’ respectively. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s head of Covid-19 technical affairs, said, ‘The World Health Organization has re-named the forms of corona virus for their easy identification. There will be no change in their scientific names. However, its purpose is to easily identify them during the general debate.
The organization said in a statement that an expert group set by the WHO recommended the use of Greek words such as alpha, gamma, beta gamma to make it easier to understand the forms of the virus during normal conversation. So that the common people also do not have trouble in understanding the discussion about them.
