Delta variant’s rate of transmission is 225 percent higher than the first strain

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Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Pandemic Working Group member Dr. Nasır Nesanır has indicated that the reason behind the increase in the numbers of cases and deaths from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Turkey in the last weeks is the Delta variant.

Attending the TTB's 16th program on "What we are curious about during the pandemic", Dr. Nasır Nesanır has warned that unless measures are taken and the rate of vaccination is increased, the Delta will be the dominant variant in Turkey in the upcoming period.

'Variants may lead to local outbreaks'

Sharing details about the Delta variant during the program, Nesanır has noted that the variant leads to increases in the death toll in those countries with low vaccination rates. According to Nesanır, the Delta variant's rate of transmission is 225 percent higher than the first strain.

The physician has also warned that unless serious measures are taken in the face of variants, these viruses will lead to local outbreaks.

Reiterating that at least 80-85 percent of the society must be vaccinated with both doses so that mass immunization against the Delta variant can be ensured, Dr. Nesanır has underlined that the unvaccinated people, especially children and young people, are at risk.

'Delta can stay in the human body for 18 days'

In his speech, Nesanır has underlined the following points:

"Saying that the Delta variant leads to lower numbers of deaths based on the countries with high vaccination rates will be a big mistake.

"While the numbers of deaths and cases are low in the countries with high vaccination rates, the numbers of deaths and cases are high in the countries with low vaccination rates.

"Studies show that vaccines are one of the most important tools in the struggle against the Delta variant.

"With a much higher transmission rate than the first variant, the Delta variant can stay in the human body for 18 days." (KÖ/SD)