The so-called Delta-variant of the SARS CoV2 virus, which was first detected in India, is starting to sweep through the world. Currently, it is the variant most commonly detected in Gauteng, which is suffering a heavy 3rd wave of COVID-19. It has been detected in the Western Cape too and is predicted to become the dominant variant here very soon.

The Delta variant is far more transmissible than the original virus, and even more transmissible than the beta variant, which plagued us over December/January. We are seeing entire families being infected, hence it appears that more children are also being affected by this “wave.”

It is NOT currently thought that this delta variant causes more serious disease than the other variants, BUT because it is so transmissible, out hospitals and ICU’s are filling up fast by the sheer number of people infected.

It seems that having had infection with the beta variant is NOT providing guaranteed immunity against the delta variant- so those who were ill in the second wave can get ill again with this new variant.

Evidence shows that the vaccines currently used in South Africa ARE effective against serious disease with the delta variant. Vaccine efficacy is not 100%- we can still get infected with the delta variant if vaccinated- but unlikely to get seriously ill.

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