The Netherlands will continue from the lock on June 26, 2021. That is good news. Yet there is still some cause for concern, because the so-called delta variant of the corona virus is on the rise. The mutation formerly known as the Indian variant appears to be even more contagious. What are the symptoms and do the vaccines protect enough?
Change (mutation)
A virus gradually changes by multiplying. That’s nothing new. There are now thousands of variants of the coronavirus. This change comes in very small steps. That change (mutation) is often so small that it does not affect how sick we become or how the virus spreads. But sometimes such a mutation can cause the virus to behave differently and spread more easily, making it more contagious. In the Netherlands, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) closely monitors these changes. This is monitored worldwide by various bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO).
Taking holiday
Several variants have already been observed in the Netherlands. The most recent is the delta variant, formerly the Indian variant. In England, this variant currently accounts for 90 percent of infections. The virus is said to be as much as 60 percent more contagious than the British variant (Alpha variant). In our country, the number of infections with the Delta variant is still low, but they are there. And since this variant is also active in Spain and Portugal, the fear is that holidaymakers will take it back this summer.
“In the United Kingdom, the delta variant is currently the most common. People who come back from England or from a country where many English people are on holiday are at risk of contracting this variant. These are also the favorite places around the Mediterranean, where many students celebrate their final exams. It is wise to have a test done at the GGD after returning to the Netherlands. Otherwise, we run a great risk of a 4th wave in the coming months,” said Dr. Ted van Essen.
Symptoms Delta variant
The symptoms of the delta variant seem milder. Headaches, runny nose, sore throat and fever are now the main symptoms reported. Loss of smell and coughing are reported less frequently with this variant. The fact that the symptoms appear to be milder may also be due to the fact that this variant currently mainly affects young people. The virus is milder with them anyway. A 1st Scottish study does show that people with multiple underlying conditions run a higher risk of hospitalization with the Delta variant.
Do the vaccines protect?
The 1st British studies by Public Health England show that after a full vaccination, so 2 doses or 1 dose after having had corona, the vaccines offer good protection against the delta variant. They compared the effect of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine against the British and Delta variant. Both vaccines offer slightly less protection against the symptoms of the Delta variant, but both score high against hospital admissions. How the Moderna vaccine responds has not yet been studied, but it is expected to be comparable to that of Pfizer. The protection of the Janssen vaccine against this variant has not yet been studied either.
According to outgoing minister Hugo de Jonge, it is a “race against the clock” to vaccinate everyone as soon as possible. The second shot is important to slow down the spread of the delta variant. No less than 12.4 million Dutch people had the 1st jab on June 13 and 4 million the 2nd. As long as not everyone has the 2nd shot, it is important to remain vigilant and at least observe the 1,5 meters away.
(Source: NRC, RTL Nieuws, RIVM, doctor Ted van Essen)
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