COVID-19: The Delta variant is here to stay

We are finally making our way out of the pandemic, thanks to a collaborative effort between all of us—from various frontline workers, to regular folks who did their civic duty to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and social distance.  

Yet still, this fight is far from over. 

As you may already know, there’s a deadly variant making rounds, known as Delta, which is highly transmissible. It’s currently devastating India—and it’s quickly spreading around the globe.  

So, let’s talk more about it—and how you can protect yourself… 

A turn for the worse 

Experts first detected the Delta variant in India back in December 2020. Now, it has been identified in 60 countries. In India, its death toll has reached 6,000 people per day—a new world record.  

Of course, its high transmissibility rate is concerning—but that’s just one concerning aspect of this new development. The Delta variant also appears to cause extremely severe symptoms compared to its predecessor, like:  

• Stomach pain 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Loss of appetite 
• Hearing loss 
• Joint pain 

(These are the main symptoms we’re seeing in India, at least.)  

Experts also report that some patients are developing blood clots severe enough to cause gangrene and eventual amputation. And to make matters worse, Indian doctors are seeing COVID-19 affecting more young people… and often even entire families.  

I realize that India may seem far away to you. But in today’s connected world, that distance means very little.  

Here in the United States, up to six percent of all new cases are being linked to the new variant. In the U.K., the Delta variant accounts for 91 percent of all new cases. (As a result, British officials are already rethinking any plans to further loosen lockdown restrictions—which have been much longer and harsher than anywhere in the U.S.) 

And given the fact that this variant is estimated to be as much as 60 percent more transmissible compared to its predecessor, it won’t be too long before the U.S. is in the same boat.  

Don’t wait—get vaccinated 

Of course, there is some good news here: A new preprint study from the U.K. found that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine offers protection against the Delta variant.  

In fact, one dose delivers 33 percent protection. Sure, that’s less than the more-than-50-percent protection against other strains of COVID-19. But given what’s at stake here, every little bit matters.  

Plus, a second dose will raise this protection level significantly. So, as always, it’s important to receive a full dose when choosing to get vaccinated. (In the U.K., they’re even shortening the gap between first and second doses from 12 to eight weeks.)   

The bottom line is, this pandemic ain’t over ‘til it’s over. If we get lazy now, we risk losing all of the headway that we’ve made in the fight against COVID-19.  

So if you haven’t gotten your second vaccine dose, or if you haven’t been vaccinated at all, I’ll urge you again to rethink your decision. And unless you have a known allergy to any of the vaccine ingredients OR have experienced severe allergic reactions from vaccinations before, please, get vaccinated.  

Otherwise, I urge you to stay home—and away from others—until this nightmare has finally ended, once and for all.  

P.S. Be sure to check out my top immune-boosting tips as well, outlined in one convenient report—my Complete Guide to Year-Round Immunity. 

Source: 

“Delta Variant and COVID-19 Vaccines: What to Know.” WebMD Health News, 06/10/2021.