Patients infected with the Delta strain of Covid-19 are likely to develop moderate or severe symptoms, and mild or symptomless cases of the disease are becoming rarer, a senior Russian scientist said Sunday. "In case of the Delta variant of the infection, the latent period is shorter as the virus has become more contagious. Patients are now developing moderate and severe forms of the disease more often, while mild and asymptomatic ones are getting rarer," said Alexander Gorelov, deputy director of the Russian sanitary watchdog's Central Research Institute of Epidemiology. "The treatment of such patients requires more time and effort, and this affects the overall statistics, leading to a conclusion that the disease lasts longer," he said. Read: 'Different levels of antibodies needed for protection from Covid strains' "The basic reproduction number – showing contagiousness, or how many persons on average can become infected by one carrier before the diagnosis is made – has multiplied by 2-2.5 times. It used to be 1-2, but now it is reaching 5-6," the expert added. "Only mass vaccination can break this chain of transmissions and help us prevent the emergence of new variants of the infection that can be even more dangerous," Alexander said. Read: Knowing your Covid symptoms can help to make informed decisions The Delta variant of Covid-19 was first detected in India last October. Earlier, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences reported that this version of the virus is capable of infecting people even after inoculation with the Covaxin and Covishield vaccines used in India. The Delta Plus version of this strain is considered to be even more contagious.

All viruses change naturally over time, and Covid-19 is not an exception. When the virus was first identified in early 2020, it had undergone thousands of mutations. The mutated virus that is created in this way through mutations is called a variant. According to the World Health Organization, most mutations have little or no effect on the original structure of the virus. Over time, it became extinct. But some mutations occur in ways that help the virus survive and reproduce. The covid-19 delta variant is such a mutation that is more deadly than other variants. What is COVID Delta Variant? The Delta variant is one of the coronavirus variants that has emerged in India in the last few months. This specific variant is more contagious than the other variants and is believed to be more responsible for the second wave in Indian as well as the neighboring countries. The Delta variant has already spread to about 98 countries outside India, which is alarming. Read: Delta variant in children: Chattogram reveals troubling data Why is the Delta variant dangerous? How is it different from other variants? The difference is in the spike protein. However, The Delta variant does not have the N501Y or E484K mutations, which were thought to interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine against the South African variant and the Brazilian variant. But it includes the L452R and P681R mutations, among other mutations. Based on laboratory data, it has been suggested that these two mutations may increase the rate of transmission of the virus and interfere with the effectiveness of antibodies against the virus. Read Europe in vaccination race against COVID-19′s delta variant Things we Need to Know About Delta Variant Scientists around the world are now testing the variant of the coronavirus identified in India. Nevertheless, the Delta variant has reached most of the countries, and first-world countries also started facing issues tackling the new variant. Let's see what you need to know about the Delta variant. Symptoms There are three new symptoms that emerged in those who are affected with the Delta variant. These are Colds, Headaches, and Sore throat. The symptoms may also include a mild fever. In the UK, people are now being asked to undergo a covid test whenever they have these three symptoms. A recent app-based study called the ZOE COVID Symptom Study, conducted by King's College of London found these new symptoms in most Covid patients. Read: What should I know about the delta variant? Spreads Rapidly It was first identified in December 2020, which spread rapidly in India and soon became dominant in India and Great Britain. At the end of June, Delta made up more than 20% of the cases in the USA, and by the end of July, it will be around 80%, estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it "the fastest and fittest." The Delta variant has been growing exponentially and more quickly. And that is why scientists and researchers all over the world have been emphasizing this. Who is at Risk? The people who are not vaccinated fully are at a high risk of getting affected by the Delta variant. However, the fully vaccinated people can also get affected by Delta, but in that case, the death date is relatively lower. Moreover, this variant is not more deadly and causes less damage to the health. But Delta variate is affecting the young people more as well as the kids. "A recent study from the United Kingdom showed that children and adults under 50 were 2.5 times more likely to become infected with Delta." Read Covid-19: Countries racing to vaccinate before Delta takes hold Do Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson Protect Against Delta? Although there are other vaccines too, there are three vaccines in the USA that offer some sort of protection against Delta, the CDC suggests. However, it is not known yet how effective they are and other vaccines. A study done in Scotland "suggested that the Pfizer vaccine's effectiveness might decrease slightly when faced with the delta variant and be about 79% effective." On the other hand, another study that appeared online suggested that vaccines from Johnson & Johnson is not as effective as Pfizer and Moderna. Therefore, judging by the quality, the more modern vaccines can be used, the better. Read: 'Dangerous period' with delta variant: WHO How to Fight Against Delta Variant? For now, vaccination is the ultimate protection against Delta. And fully vaccination can make you safe. At least it would not be deadly for the vaccinated people. Therefore, taking two doses of vaccines is recommended, and wait the recommended two weeks to make the vaccine effective. Research has shown that the corona mortality rates are higher in those countries where the rate of covid vaccination is not more than 5 percent. In a country like Israel, where 60 percent of the population has been vaccinated, the number of deaths and hospitalizations is negligible. So, vaccination is needed first of all. Comparison with Other Variants As per the current situation, it is fairly certain that the Delta variant has a higher transmission potential than other variants. But this variant is at least less powerful than the beta variant in terms of its ability to disrupt the effectiveness of serious diseases or vaccines. But the Delta variant is making its way over other variants due to its ability to cause extreme infections. Read Vaccine deliveries rising as delta virus variant slams Asia Final words More infections mean more serious diseases, more hospitalization, more deaths, and more dangerous new variants. So, at any cost, the Delta variant must be stopped with the help of any vaccine.  While not all vaccines are equally effective in preventing infection, most vaccines play an important role in preventing serious diseases, hospitalization, and death. In countries where a significant portion of the population has received two doses of the vaccine, delta variant infections are more common among people who have not been vaccinated. And since it is not possible to provide vaccinations in line with the rate of transmission of the virus, hygiene, and social distance should not be forgotten. Furthermore, those who are being vaccinated need to make sure they are completing two doses. Read Brazil reopens amid looming threat from delta variant

As the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19 has made its way into Dhaka and other districts from frontier ones, experts fear an impending health catastrophe in the coming weeks since there is no strict measure in place to stop it. They said half-hearted preventive measures, lack of seriousness of local administrations, reopening of intra-district transport services and people’s apathy to maintain health safety guidelines are the major reasons behind the worsening Covid situation in the country. The Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research has recently found 80 percent of a randomly selected sample of 50 Covid patients infected with the Delta variant. It also said the deadly variant has spread to parts of central Bangladesh, including the capital, while seven workers of Ashrayan Project in Nawabganj upazila of Dhaka have been detected with the same virus strain. The sudden spike in virus cases has put a severe strain on four major hospitals ---Rajshahi Medical College, Khulna Medical College, Chapainawabganj and Kushtia General Hospital--with increasing patients from 11 nearby districts. Also read: IEDCR study of 50 samples finds 40 are Delta Experts said the government should immediately increase the number of beds, doctors and nurses and treatment facilities, in these hospitals to cope with the pressure of Covid patients. The virus infection has been showing an upward trend in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Dinajpur, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Kushtia, Jashore, Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Natore, Noakhali and Cox's Bazar districts for several days.

Voicing deep concern over the outbreak of Indian Covid variant in bordering areas, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday warned that the nation will have pay a heavy price for lack of measures to stop it. “The way Indian (Delta) variant of the Coronavirus has been spreading in frontier districts is extremely alarming,” he said in a statement. The Jatiya Party chief said though the infection and fatality rates of the deadly virus are increasing day by day, many people are still entering Bangladesh from India every night dodging the border guards. “So, the frontier districts must be put under a stricter lockdown.” Also read: No support from ministry for local Covid vaccine: GM Quader GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said the members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) can be deployed in those districts to implement the lockdown. “We’ve to pay a heavy price if any lenient attitude is shown towards the Indian variant.” He said the government must ensure adequate food support to the bordering districts alongside imposing the lockdown. “Hungry people can never be kept confined to their homes without ensuring food for them,” the Jatiya Party chairman observed. Besides, he said, healthcare services need to be improved rapidly at the district level. GM Quader said all the district hospitals, including the bordering ones, must be equipped with adequate oxygen support, necessary medicines and other equipment to deal with the growing number of Covid patients. Also read: Take mega projects to improve healthcare system: GM Quader The highly contagious Indian variant of the coronavirus was detected in Bangladesh for the first time on May 8 and it is spreading in different parts of the country, including Dhaka. Experts fear that Bangladesh may face the worst outbreak of the deadly virus by the end of June. Bangladesh closed its border with India for any kind of movement except that of cargo on April 26 which was later extended till June 14 to control the spread of coronavirus as the situation in the neighbouring country has deteriorated.

Delta, the Coronavirus variant first found in India, turned out to be 80% of some 50 genomes sequenced in Bangladesh since May 16 by IEDCR. There is also evidence of community transmission of the variant, according to research jointly carried out by IEDCR and IDSHI. The study also identified one "unknown variant" and found 8 of the samples  (16%) to be infected with the South African variant. IEDCR and IDSHI collected and analysed 50 samples from across the country, including border districts and the capital since May 16. The research also found 40 out of the total 50 cases as Delta variant, known as Indian variant, in samples collected from Chapainawabganj, Gopalganj, Khulna, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Bagerhat, Jhenaidah and Pirojpur. Also read: Indian Variant: The New Concern Also, among the 40 patients, eight were tested positive after returning from India while 18 others came in contact with overseas returnees although they did not travel abroad. Meanwhile, among the samples collected, 14 infected people neither went abroad nor came in contact with people with travel history. So, it is clear that the Indian variant is being transmitted at the community level inside the country, the research said. On May 8, the Indian variant was detected in Bangladesh for the first time. All of the infected people returned from the neighbouring country. The "highly contagious" Indian Delta variant was first detected in October last year. The World Health Organization labelled it a "variant of concern."  Also read: 8 Indian variant cases identified in Jashore

The local administration of some of the border districts have imposed strict restrictions for seven days to check the transmission of the Indian variant of coronavirus. The decisions were taken after separate meetings as the  government allowed the local administrations to impose lockdown if the situation worsens in their areas. Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Abdul Jalil announced the restrictions on Wednesday afternoon. According to the fresh restrictions, none will be allowed to leave their houses from 7 pm to 8 am without any emergency reason in Rajshahi until June 9. All business establishments and vehicular movement will remain shut during the time except those providing emergency services. However restaurants and traders can provide services  online. However, mango farmers and traders will carry on their business  on a limited scale  maintaining social distance. Also read: Naogaon municipality, Niamatpur upazila put under one week lockdown Similar restrictions have also been imposed in Rupsha Upazila, Khulna Sadar, Sonadanga and Khalishpur upazilas of Khulna for a week which will start from June 4. Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Helal Hossain came up with the decision after a meeting with the district coronavirus prevention committee on Wednesday morning in presence of  Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleq. All shops except pharmacies in those places will remain closed for a week from June 4. Mobile courts and police were instructed to take necessary steps to ensure people maintain the health guidelines. The city mayor said no gathering would be allowed after evening. He also instructed all to maintain social distance and use masks. Also read: Lockdown extended in Rohingya camps, Teknaf upazila Besides, Naogaon municipality, Niamatpur upazila have been put under  lockdown for a week.

Genome Centre of Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) Monday found the Indian variant of the coronavirus among eight local patients. The patients- seven men and a woman, were all under 56. None of them had been to India or contact with any India returnee. A team of researchers led by Associate Director of the Genome Center Prof. Dr. Md. Iqbal Kabir Zahid came up with the results through genome sequencing. READ: Covid patient infected with Indian variant held in Chandpur The local administration, Ministry of Health and IEDCR were immediately informed. The samples were collected from Abhaynagar Upazila Health Complex, Jashore General Hospital and Jhikargachha Upazila Health Complex to find out whether the Indian variant had spread over the district. The research team advised the India returnees to stay in institutional quarantine until they are tested negative for coronavirus.  READ: Covid-19: Three more cases of Indian variant reported in Bangladesh In addition, they suggested to strictly maintain health guidelines at the border.

The number of new coronavirus infections in the U.K. hit a near two-month high Friday as British regulators authorized the use of the single-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson. The latest authorization, which takes the number of vaccines in the U.K.’s armory to four, comes amid growing speculation that the new variant of the virus first identified in India may prompt the British government to delay its next planned easing of lockdown restrictions in England. Government figures showed that another 4,182 new confirmed cases were reported across the U.K., the highest daily figure since April 1. The cases bring the total number of confirmed infections reported over the past seven days to 20,765, a 24% increase from the previous week. The rise prompted scientists to say the U.K. is now in the midst of a third wave of the pandemic. The number of cases remains well below the daily high of nearly 70,000 recorded in mid-January, during the peak of the second wave, but but the upward trend has raised questions about the U.K. government’s plan to lift all remaining social restrictions on June 21. The government, which has lifted restrictions in stages and allowed pubs and restaurants to resume indoor service last week, has said it will make a decision on the next planned easing on June 14. Read:European regulators OK Pfizer vaccine for children 12-15 The variant identified in India is believed to be responsible for up to 75% of new cases in the U.K. and more transmissible than the previously dominant strain of the virus. Critics argue that the Conservative government is to blame for the variant’s seeding in the U.K. They say officials acted too slowly to impose the strictest quarantine requirements on everyone arriving from India, which is in the midst of a catastrophic resurgence of the virus. Many scientists say the increase in cases is no surprise but that the rapid rollout of vaccines will provide a firewall in a country that has seen Europe’s highest virus-related death toll at more than 127,500. While the most vulnerable people should have vaccine protection, there are worries the virus could spread widely among younger adults. As of Friday, 58% of the British population has received at least one vaccine dose and around 35% have gotten two shots. The U.K. vaccination program started with the oldest age groups and aims to have offered a jab to all adults by the end of July. “It seems almost certain that we will face a third episode of rising COVID-19 infections,” said James Naismith, a professor of structural biology at the University of Oxford. “It seems likely that the Indian variant will mostly confine itself to the unvaccinated younger population. It is much less likely to cause serious disease in this group. However, less likely is not the same as zero. With large enough numbers of infections, appreciable numbers will get seriously ill.” Also Friday, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said the vaccine by Johnson & Johnson met “the expected standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.” The regulator previously authorized the two-dose regimens developed by Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, and Moderna. Read:Vietnam finds new virus variant, hybrid of India, UK strains The regulator said the vaccine developed by J&J subsidiary Janssen has been shown to be 67% effective overall in preventing COVID-19 infection and 85% effective in preventing severe disease or hospitalization. It can be be stored at refrigerator temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 47 F), which the regulator said makes it “ideal for distribution to care homes and other locations.” Details of which groups will get the vaccine have yet to be determined. There was speculation it might only be administered to older adults after it was linked to reports of rare blood clots. The Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine looks set to be used as part of the country’s planned booster program in the fall. The British government has amended its order from last year of 30 million J&J doses to 20 million. “As Janssen is a single-dose vaccine, it will play an important role in the months to come as we redouble our efforts to encourage everyone to get their jabs and potentially begin a booster program later this year,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

Vietnam has discovered a new coronavirus variant that’s a hybrid of strains first found in India and the U.K., the Vietnamese health minister said Saturday. Nguyen Thanh Long said scientists examined the genetic makeup of the virus that had infected some recent patients, and found the new version of the virus. He said lab tests suggested it might spread more easily than other versions of the virus. Viruses often develop small genetic changes as they reproduce, and new variants of the coronavirus have been seen almost since it was first detected in China in late 2019. The World Health Organization has listed four global “variants of concern” – the two first found in the U.K. and India, plus ones identified in South Africa and Brazil. Long says the new variant could be responsible for a recent surge in Vietnam, which has spread to 30 of the country’s 63 municipalities and provinces. Vietnam was initially a standout success in battling the virus — in early May, it had recorded just over 3,100 confirmed cases and 35 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Read: More states ease lingering virus rules as vaccine rates rise But in the last few weeks, Vietnam has confirmed more than 3,500 new cases and 12 deaths, increasing the country’s total death toll to 47. Most of the new transmissions were found in Bac Ninh and Bac Giang, two provinces dense with industrial zones where hundreds of thousands of people work for major companies including Samsung, Canon and Luxshare, a partner in assembling Apple products. Despite strict health regulations, a company in Bac Giang discovered that one fifth of its 4,800 workers had tested positive for the virus. In Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s largest metropolis and home to 9 million, at least 85 people have tested positive as part of a cluster at a Protestant church, the Health Ministry said. Worshippers sang and chanted while sitting close together without wearing proper masks or taking other precautions. Vietnam has since ordered a nationwide ban on all religious events. In major cities, authorities have banned large gatherings, closed public parks and non-essential business including in-person restaurants, bars, clubs and spas. Vietnam so far has vaccinated 1 million people with AstraZeneca shots. Last week, it sealed a deal with Pfizer for 30 million doses, which are scheduled to be delivered in the third and fourth quarters of this year. It is also in talks with Moderna that would give it enough shots to fully vaccine 80% of its 96 million people.

France may introduce stricter coronavirus restrictions for British visitors when tourism reopens this summer to prevent the spread of a worrying virus variant first detected in India and causing concern in Britain, authorities said Sunday. The possibility of tighter restrictions for British tourists was raised Sunday by Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The minister suggested that Britain could be put in a health category of its own, somewhere in between the strictest measures that France is imposing on visitors from India and 15 other countries, and more relaxed requirements being readied for visitors from the European Union and some other countries. Without giving specifics, Le Drian said “health measures that are a bit stronger” could be applied for British tourists. The minister indicated that the government in Paris is watching how the situation develops before making up its mind. Read:Clinic helps long-haul patients in London’s “COVID triangle” “We hope that the variant can be controlled in a country which experienced real failures during the pandemic,” he said. “However, the arrival of the Indian variant and the increase of cases of Indian variant in the United Kingdom pose a problem and so we are vigilant about this (and) in contact with the British authorities,” he added. “It won’t be the red treatment if we have to do it. It will be an intermediate treatment,” the minister said. “But it is not excluded — this springs to mind because of British tourists — that we have health measures that are a bit stronger.” From Sunday, Germany already started requiring people arriving from the U.K. to go into quarantine for 14 days. The decision announced last Friday responded to the spread in Britain of the Indian variant. Under the tighter rules, airlines and others will also only be able to transport German citizens and residents from Britain.