Delta Variant

The Delta variant is a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It was first detected in India in late 2020. The Delta variant was named on 31 May 2021 and had spread to over 179 countries by 22 November 2021. The World Health Organization indicated in June 2021 that the Delta variant was becoming the dominant strain globally. It has mutations in the gene encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein causing the substitutions T478K, P681R and L452R, which are known to affect transmissibility of the virus as well as whether it can be neutralised by antibodies for previously circulating variants of the COVID-19 virus. It is thought to be one of the most transmissible respiratory viruses known.

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High vaccination rates blunted Delta variant surge in some US states

Overestimating Population Immunity Contributed to COVID Delta Variant Surge in U.S.

New nasal spray treats Delta variant infection in mice, indicating broad spectrum results

COVID in a Pet Cat: Delta Variant Nearly Identical to Viral Sequences Found in People

A Cat in Pennsylvania Caught The Delta Variant. But It's Not All Bad News

Natural immunity superior to vaccines against delta variant, CDC study finds

First study to detect Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in maternal bloodstream and placenta in cases of stillbirth and pregnancy complications

Omicron up to 70% less likely to cause hospitalization than delta variant, UK government study finds

The omicron variant multiplies about 70 times faster inside human respiratory tract tissue than the delta variant does, scientists at the University of Hong Kong report. The variant also reaches higher levels in the tissue, compared with delta, 48 hours after infection.

Why the coronavirus’s delta variant dominated 2021

Single “Lucky” Substrain of Delta Variant Accounts for 90% of COVID-19 Infections in Russia

Mutation of Nucleocapsid, Not Spike Protein, Responsible for Delta Variant’s Increased Transmissibility

A fourth dose of the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine improves serum neutralization against the delta variant in kidney transplant recipients

Study: COVID-19 Delta Variant Has Increased Ability To Evade Protective Response of Vaccines

Mask mandates saved lives & prevented COVID-19 infections in Missouri’s biggest cities during the worst part of the delta variant wave, an analysis by the state Dept of Health & Senior Services shows.The analysis, conducted at the request of Gov. Parson’s office in early Nov, was never made public.

Plant-derived antiviral is effective in blocking highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, say scientists

New Clues to Delta Variant’s Spread in Studies of Artificial Virus-Like Particles

COVID-19 Vaccines Lower Risk of Infection With Delta Variant – But Infection Can Still Be Passed On

COVID-19: The Older You Are, the More Antibodies You Have – Better Protection Against Delta Variant

Why the COVID-19 Delta Variant Spreads So Easily and Infects People So Quickly