SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Explained
Here I breakdown the mutations within the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 and how these amino acid changes are important to be aware of related to the virus’s ability to infect & be detected by antibodies.
Refresher on how to read the mutations can be found here:
• SARS-CoV-2 Mutations & mRNA Vaccine Efficacy
SARS-CoV-2 does not mutate while floating in the air or being found on a surface. It mutates while it replicates, and replication occurs during transmission. Less transmission = less mutations.
• How does SARS-CoV-2 Mutate? - Covid-19 Mut...
While the Delta variant is neutralized by vaccine antibodies (albeit to a slightly lower extent), how is it still spreading? It’s spreading in low vaccinated areas and in groups that are not eligible for a vaccine yet.
Breakthrough cases will happen, but with vaccinated individuals an overwhelming majority of these cases are mild, demonstrating further that the vaccines are doing their job at preventing severe disease & death from Covid-19.
Cover Art by: Ananya Anmangandla