Jordan Ellis
The highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 has caused a surge in cases and hospitalizations, particularly among the unvaccinated. While hospitals conduct COVID-19 tests, they generally do not specify whether the infection is caused by the Delta variant. Detecting this variant requires genomic sequencing, a special type of testing that is typically not performed on all samples due to the high volume of COVID-19 cases. However, with the Delta variant accounting for a significant proportion of infections, a positive COVID-19 test often indicates the presence of this variant. The lack of quick tests to distinguish between variants like Delta and Omicron complicates treatments, as certain variants may respond better to specific antibody treatments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Testing for the delta variant | Hospitals do not test specifically for the delta variant. Instead, they test for COVID-19. |
| Delta variant symptoms | Cough, shortness of breath, fever, body aches, congestion, and more. |
| Hospital admissions | Patients with the delta variant are more likely to be admitted to the hospital. |
| Mortality rate | The delta variant has a higher mortality rate than the original COVID-19 variant. |
| Treatment | Antibody treatments differ for patients with the delta variant compared to other variants. |
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What You'll Learn
Hospitals are filling up with younger, unvaccinated patients
The highly contagious Delta variant has become the dominant strain of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States, causing a surge in cases and hospitalizations, particularly among the unvaccinated. Hospitals are filling up with younger, unvaccinated patients, as the Delta variant is more deadly and has different symptoms compared to the original virus. Doctors warn that patients may not experience loss of taste and smell, but rather a cough, shortness of breath, fever, body aches, and congestion. The CDC reported that the seven-day moving average of new hospital admissions increased by 35.8% compared to the previous week, with a 26.3% increase in deaths.
In Fresno County, California, COVID-19 hospitalizations increased by 48% in a week, with a large percentage of patients under 60 and unvaccinated. Similarly, in Utah, hospitals are reaching a breaking point with an average of 877 cases per day, more than double the average in early July. The unvaccinated are driving up case counts and hospitalizations, causing delays in important surgeries and limiting the ability to treat out-of-state patients.
Vaccines remain highly effective against COVID-19 hospitalization, and the Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have shown effectiveness ranging from 60% to 95%. However, the volume of COVID-19 patients in hospitals is straining resources and healthcare workers, with many quitting or retiring.
While hospitals typically test for COVID-19, they do not specify whether the infection is due to the Delta variant. Detecting the Delta variant requires genomic sequencing, which is not performed on all samples due to the high volume of cases. However, as the Delta variant accounts for most COVID-19 cases, a positive test result likely indicates infection with this variant.
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The Delta variant has different symptoms
The Delta variant of COVID-19 has been causing concern due to its different symptoms and increased spread across the globe. It is now the most common strain of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States and is highly contagious, causing a rise in cases and hospitalizations among the unvaccinated.
The Delta variant, previously known as the Indian variant, presents with symptoms that differ from the typical COVID-19 infection. While the classic COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell, the Delta variant may cause a headache, sore throat, and runny nose, according to Professor Tim Spector, a genetic epidemiologist at King's College London.
Doctors in China have also observed that the Delta variant is more dangerous than when COVID-19 first emerged in the country, with patients experiencing symptoms such as hearing loss, severe stomach upsets, and blood clots leading to gangrene. In India, an increased number of patients with diarrhea have been reported.
In the United States, patients typically learn whether they have tested positive for COVID-19 but not specifically for the Delta variant. However, due to the high prevalence of the Delta variant, a positive COVID-19 test result is likely indicative of infection with this variant.
As the Delta variant spreads, doctors emphasize the importance of being aware of these new symptoms. Even fully vaccinated individuals are advised to continue taking precautions, such as wearing masks in indoor or crowded settings.
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Labs don't offer sequencing data to patients
The Delta variant of COVID-19 is highly contagious and has become the most common strain of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States. It has resulted in a sharp rise in hospitalizations, particularly among younger, unvaccinated patients. While hospitals and labs can test for COVID-19, they typically do not specify whether the infection is due to the Delta variant or another strain.
Several labs, including Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp, have stated that they do not offer sequencing data to patients or physicians. Instead, they focus on aiding the CDC in its surveillance efforts by sequencing samples and reporting the data to them. This is because the standard of care does not require knowledge of the specific viral lineage for the clinical management of the patient. Their treatment and isolation do not depend on the particular variant they have contracted.
The Texas Health and Human Services explained that the viral tests used to detect COVID-19 are not designed to identify the specific variant causing the infection. Detecting the Delta variant or other variants requires a specialized test called genomic sequencing. Due to the high volume of COVID-19 cases, sequencing is not performed on all samples. However, as the Delta variant accounts for a large proportion of cases, a positive test result likely indicates infection with this variant.
The lack of widely available variant testing complicates treatment decisions, especially when different variants respond to different treatments. For example, high-risk patients with the Delta variant may benefit from specific monoclonal antibody treatments that would be ineffective for patients with the Omicron variant. Therefore, while labs do not offer sequencing data to patients, it is crucial for healthcare systems and hospitals to utilize regional variant data to guide their treatment approaches.
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Doctors don't have access to quick tests
Hospitals across the globe are witnessing an influx of patients as the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 spreads. This variant, first reported in India in December 2020, has become the dominant strain in the United States, filling hospitals with unvaccinated patients. While doctors urge people to watch for new symptoms, a pressing issue emerges: the lack of quick tests to identify the Delta variant.
The standard COVID-19 tests inform patients of a positive or negative result, but they do not specify the variant causing the infection. Detecting the Delta variant requires genomic sequencing, a specialized testing process. This sequencing procedure involves extracting viral RNA and analyzing its data to pinpoint the variant. However, several hospitals and labs have stated that they do not offer sequencing data to patients or doctors.
The absence of quick tests for the Delta variant in hospitals presents a challenge. Patients are often unaware of the specific variant causing their infection. While the treatment and isolation protocols remain unchanged, the lack of variant information impacts resource planning and policy decisions. As the Delta variant spreads, hospitals need to be prepared for a potential surge in admissions, especially among the unvaccinated.
The process of identifying the Delta variant through genomic sequencing can take up to four days. This delay in variant identification can impact the timely implementation of necessary measures to curb the spread. Furthermore, the volume of COVID-19 cases may hinder the ability to perform sequencing on all viral samples. As a result, patients and doctors may not have immediate access to variant-specific information, which could influence their approach to treatment and prevention strategies.
The lack of quick tests for the Delta variant in hospitals highlights the need for improved diagnostic tools and faster sequencing methods. While the standard COVID-19 tests remain crucial for detecting the presence of the virus, the inability to determine the specific variant can create challenges in managing the ongoing pandemic and preparing for potential future waves.
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Vaccines reduce the risk of hospitalisation
The highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 is behind the majority of new cases in the United States, with over 100,000 infections being logged daily. Hospitals and labs have stated that patients will be informed if they have tested positive for COVID-19, but not whether they have contracted the delta variant specifically. This is because identifying a variant requires extracting viral RNA and sequencing it, a process that can take up to four days.
The delta variant has caused an increase in hospitalisations, with unvaccinated individuals comprising the majority of these cases. The delta variant is more deadly than the original strain, and patients infected with it have twice the risk of hospital admission compared to patients with the alpha variant.
Vaccines are crucial in reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19. While they do not entirely eliminate the risk, they considerably lower it. For example, the likelihood of a 90-year-old catching and dying from COVID-19 is estimated to be 2.8% without vaccination, but this drops to 0.14% after vaccination. Similarly, the risk profile of a vaccinated 80-year-old is comparable to that of an unvaccinated 50-year-old.
Data from the UK's PHE on the Delta variant supports the impact of vaccines. Sir Patrick Vallance noted that around 60% of those hospitalised were unvaccinated. Focusing on the over-50s, approximately 54% of those admitted were unvaccinated, while only 29% had received two vaccine doses.
It is important to note that even vaccinated individuals may require hospitalisation, especially if they are vulnerable. However, vaccines remain a powerful tool in combating the pandemic and reducing the severity of COVID-19.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospitals do not usually test for the Delta variant specifically. Instead, they test for COVID-19 and assume that a positive result indicates the Delta variant, as it is the most common strain of SARS-CoV-2.
Hospitals do not notify patients of the specific variant they have contracted, as this information does not impact the treatment or isolation process.
The symptoms of the Delta variant differ slightly from the original virus. Patients may experience a cough, shortness of breath, fever, body aches, congestion, and more.
The Delta variant is more deadly and contagious than the original COVID-19 virus. It has been linked to an increased risk of hospitalisation and death.
