Delta variant: Expert predicts '100,000 UK cases a day'
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COVID-19’s Delta strain, first identified in India, has been responsible for a stark rise in positive cases around the UK. The number of infections linked to Delta has increased by 54,268 in the past week, representing a rise of 34 percent according to Public Health England (PHE). In a new analysis of variant cases, PHE said Delta now accounted for 99 percent of all cases that have been genetically sequenced.
Of the 54,268 cases, 44 were linked to a new version of Delta known as Delta AY.1
There are four current variants of concern and nine variants under investigation within the UK.
These variants are being closely monitored because of their potential to evade vaccines and infect more people.
However, so far the vaccines are showing they offer good protection against variants, with two doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca delivering 96 percent and 92 percent protection against hospitalisations, respectively.
Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “The data continues to show that the sharp increase in cases that we are seeing is not being followed by a similar increase in hospitalisation and death.
“This is because two doses of the available vaccines offer a high level of protection against the Delta variant.
“Getting both jabs is the best way to ensure you and the people you love remain safe, so we once again urge everyone to come forward as soon as they are eligible.
“Cases are rising across the country, and whilst the vaccines offer excellent protection they don’t offer 100 percent protection, so be sensible and follow ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times and make sure to get tested if required.”
How long do Covid symptoms take to show?
The time between infection and symptoms beginning to occur is otherwise known as the incubation period.
The incubation period of the Delta variant isn’t believed to be different to the original COVID-19 infection circulating last year.
Scientists worked out the incubation period for the virus by studying dozens of confirmed cases reported between January 4 and February 24, 2020.
These cases included only people who know that they had been around someone who was infected.
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On average, symptoms showed up in newly infected people about five days after contact.
In some instances, symptoms appeared as quickly as two days after exposure, but most people with symptoms would have them by Day 12.
The other sick people investigated were clearly ill by the time Day 14 came around.
In some very rare cases, symptoms can show up after 14 days, with researchers estimating this happens with about one in every 100 people.
Some people may have Covid and never show symptoms, however, which is one of the scary things about the virus.
Others may not know that they have it because their symptoms are very mild, mistaken for a different virus or common cold.
Researchers estimate that people who get infected with the coronavirus can spread it to others two to three days before symptoms begin, and are most contagious one to two days before they feel sick.
If you think you’ve been around someone with Covid, your best bet is to take a test and ensure you don’t have it – whether you’re showing symptoms or not.
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