Introduction to Delta and Omicron variant

COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed the emergence of several variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID, with two particularly noteworthy strains known as Delta (also referred to as B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B1.1.529) being the ones garnering widespread media coverage due to their potential impacts on transmissibility, severity of illness and effectiveness of existing vaccines. These variants have created great concern due to potential impacts they might have on transmissibility, severity of illness and effectiveness of current vaccination methods against them – these variants present risks relating to transmissibility of transmission as well as effectiveness of existing vaccination techniques against it all!

The Delta variant first emerged in India during late 2020 and quickly spread worldwide, showing increased transmissibility compared to earlier variants resulting in an unprecedented spike in cases in various locations around the globe. Characterized by multiple mutations to its spike protein and receptor-binding domain (RBD) regions of its spike protein that facilitate entry of virus into host cells, and more transmissibility overall due to this new mutation pattern; cases have surged globally as a result.

Omicron variant, on the other hand, emerged in November 2021 in South Africa and features numerous mutations to spike protein’s RBD region – raising concerns of potential immune evasion and transmissibility issues.

Delta and Omicron variants of influenza A virus have recently gained much public awareness due to their ability to rapidly spread throughout populations, so understanding their characteristics and distinctions are paramount for informing public health strategies and response efforts. We will go into greater depth on each variant’s spread, symptoms, vaccine effectiveness, global impact impact as well as recommended public health measures in later sections.

Delta Variant

The Delta variant, also known as the B.1.617.2 variant, is a strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. It was first identified in India in October 2020 and has since spread to numerous countries around the world. The Delta variant has been classified as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organizations due to its increased transmissibility and potential for increased disease severity.

Key characteristics of the Delta variant include:

1. Increased transmissibility: The Delta variant is estimated to be significantly more contagious than the original strain of the virus. It spreads more easily between individuals, leading to rapid increases in cases in affected areas.
2. Potential for increased disease severity: Some studies suggest that the Delta variant may be associated with a higher risk of hospitalization compared to other variants. However, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between the Delta variant and disease severity.
3. Partial immune evasion: There is evidence to suggest that the Delta variant may partially evade the immune response, including from vaccines. Fully vaccinated individuals can still get infected with the Delta variant, although vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
4. Global spread: The Delta variant has become a dominant strain in many countries and has contributed to surges in COVID-19 cases. It has been detected in all continents and has led to the reintroduction of various public health measures, such as mask mandates and lockdowns, in several regions.

In response to the Delta variant, health authorities around the world have emphasized the importance of vaccination, continued adherence to public health measures (such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing), and increased testing and genomic surveillance to track the spread of the variant. Vaccination remains a crucial tool in reducing the impact of the Delta variant and preventing severe illness and hospitalization.

History of Delta

The Delta variant, more commonly referred to as B.1.617.2 variant, of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 was first identified in India in October 2020 and given this name because it was the fourth strain to be identified using WHO’s new naming system based on Greek letters.

The Delta variant is distinguished from its parent strain by numerous mutations to the virus’s spike protein, which plays a pivotal role in infiltrating human cells and spreading disease. These modifications may explain its increased transmissibility compared to its original strain of influenza virus.

After its initial identification in India, the Delta variant quickly spread to other nations. By early 2021 it had become the primary strain in India, leading to an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout India and prompting global concern due to its high transmissibility.

The Delta variant is associated with several waves of COVID-19 infections worldwide. It has been observed in multiple countries and caused serious outbreaks in some. Due to its ability to spread quickly, its rapid spread challenged public health systems and resulted in the reinstitution of preventive measures like mask mandates, social distancing policies, and lockdown measures.

One distinctive trait of the Delta variant is its ability to escape from immune responses, including those from vaccines. Although vaccination has proven useful in reducing risk and hospitalization rates, breakthrough infections have occurred among fully vaccinated individuals despite receiving their vaccine dose. Still, vaccination remains an integral component in controlling its spread and mitigating its impact on public health.

As Delta variant has spread, its appearance has highlighted the significance of ongoing surveillance, research, and adaptation of public health strategies to manage new and evolving strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

How to Prevention Delta Variant

To combat the Delta variant of COVID-19 and limit its spread, it is critical to take both general preventive measures and specific strategies.

Here are a few actions you can take:

• Vaccinate: Get your COVID-19 vaccine immediately upon eligibility; studies have proven its efficacy against Delta variant, significantly lowering risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.
• Wear masks: When in public places with high transmission rates or inadequate vaccination coverage, wearing a mask is strongly encouraged – be it indoor or outdoor settings. Please abide by any recommendations set forth by health authorities regarding its usage.
• Practice good hand hygiene: Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds for at least five times every week, or alternatively use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content as part of good hand hygiene practices.
• Physical Distancing: For your own safety in crowded settings, keep a safe distance from people not part of your household. Follow any guidance provided by local health authorities regarding physical distancing requirements.
• Avoid Large Gatherings: Limit attendance at large gatherings held in enclosed spaces that lack adequate ventilation, especially those held indoors with poor airflow. If necessary, take preventive steps such as mask use, physical distancing measures and adequate ventilation when attending such events.
• Stay Informed: Stay up-to-date with the most relevant health guidelines from sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or your local health department. Understand their recommendations specific to your location, then act upon them accordingly.
• Improve indoor ventilation: To make sure indoor spaces are adequately ventilated, open windows or use air purifiers and ensure adequate airflow through them. Adequate ventilation reduces viral particle counts in the air.
• Practice respiratory etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing using tissues or your elbow, dispose of used tissues properly and wash hands afterward.
• Self-Isolation and Testing: If you experience symptoms associated with COVID-19 or come into contact with anyone who has tested positive, self-isolate yourself immediately and get tested as per guidelines provided by health authorities regarding duration and protocols of isolation and testing protocols.
• Support Public Health Measures: Collaborate with public health initiatives like contact tracing and quarantine requirements in order to assist with limiting the spread of Delta variant disease within your community and protect it.

Keep in mind that recommendations may differ depending on local transmission rates, vaccination coverage rates and guidelines issued by health authorities in your region. Be wary and prioritize your own and those around you’s wellbeing and their wellbeing.

Omicron Variant

The Omicron variant, also known as B.1.1.529, is a variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. It was first identified in Botswana and South Africa in November 2021 and has since been detected in numerous countries around the world. The Omicron variant has been classified as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organizations due to its high number of mutations and potential impact on global public health.

Key characteristics of the Omicron variant include:

1. Increased number of mutations: The Omicron variant has a large number of genetic mutations compared to earlier variants of the virus. These mutations are primarily in the spike protein of the virus, which plays a crucial role in infecting human cells and evading the immune system.
2. Potential for increased transmissibility: Early evidence suggests that the Omicron variant may be highly transmissible, with a significantly increased rate of spread compared to other variants. Its rapid transmission has contributed to its global spread in a relatively short period.
3. Impact on vaccine effectiveness: Preliminary studies suggest that the Omicron variant may have the potential to partially evade immunity provided by previous infection or vaccination. However, the extent of immune evasion and its impact on vaccine effectiveness are still being studied. Booster doses and updated vaccines are being developed to enhance protection against the Omicron variant.
4. Severity of illness: There is still limited information about the severity of illness caused by the Omicron variant compared to other variants. Some early data suggests that the variant may cause milder symptoms in some individuals, but more research is needed to establish a clear understanding of its impact on disease severity.

In response to the Omicron variant, countries and health organizations have implemented various measures to control its spread. These include increased testing, contact tracing, travel restrictions, and vaccination campaigns. It is important to note that the situation is evolving, and ongoing surveillance and research are essential to better understand the characteristics and implications of the Omicron variant.

How to Prevention Omicron variant

Preventing the spread of Delta variant, and any other strain of concern, requires following public health guidelines and taking appropriate measures.

Here are a few general suggestions for mitigating its spread:

• Vaccination: Get yourself and any eligible household members vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they become eligible, as vaccines have shown effectiveness against its Delta variant in reducing severe illness, hospitalization and death rates. Follow any recommended booster shots provided by health authorities if that option becomes applicable to you.
• Follow good hygiene practices: For proper hand hygiene, regularly wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds with either regular hand-washing or using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content, especially before touching any part of the face, especially eyes, nose or mouth. Do this even when your hands are clean – and remember not to touch these areas until your hands have been disinfected by hygiene practices!
• Wear masks: When living in areas with high transmission rates or when social distancing is unavailable, wearing a mask provides another form of protection, especially indoor settings.
• Practice social distancing: Establish a physical distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people outside your household when in crowded places or environments with poor ventilation; avoid close physical contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness.
• Air Ventilation: To provide adequate indoor ventilation, open windows or use air conditioning systems which bring fresh air in, with improved airflow helping dilute and remove potentially contaminated particles from the atmosphere.
• Keep informed: Stay abreast of any and all updates provided by local health authorities regarding guidelines or restrictions specific to your location. Keep abreast of specific recommendations or restrictions applicable in your region.
• Avoid unnecessary travel: Avoid non-essential travel to areas with higher infection rates or where new variants of viruses or disease exist, such as areas with high infection rates or prevalence rates of new diseases such as Ebola. If necessary, follow guidelines provided by healthcare authorities when traveling and take proper precautions when needed.
• Practice respiratory etiquette: When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with tissue or your elbow for protection, discard used tissue properly and immediately wash hands afterwards.
• Stay home if feeling unwell: If experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing it’s wise to stay home and seek medical advice immediately. Additionally follow health authority recommendations regarding testing and self-isolation as soon as possible.
• Assist with Contact Tracing efforts: If you test positive for COVID-19 or come in contact with those who have tested positive, support contact tracing efforts by providing accurate information to stop further spread of infection.

Keep in mind that recommendations may differ depending on your unique situation and guidance from local health authorities. Therefore, remain alert, take necessary precautions, and prioritize both your own well-being and that of those around you.

History of Omicron

The Omicron variant, also referred to as B.1.1.529, is a strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19 that was first identified in Botswana and South Africa in November 2021. Following WHO adoption of its Greek letter-based naming system to eliminate stigma associated with geographic location-specific names for variants, Omicron became its name.

Omicron variant has caused concern due to its large number of mutations and potential impact on global public health. It contains more mutations than prior variants (Delta included) in its spike protein; which serves as the target of most COVID-19 vaccines and plays a key role in entering human cells.

Omicron initially emerged with numerous mutations linked to immune evasion, raising concerns over its potential ability to circumvent protection offered by prior infection or vaccination. As a result, global efforts were launched to investigate its transmissibility, severity, and effect on vaccine effectiveness.

Soon after its discovery, Omicron variant quickly spread throughout multiple countries worldwide. Governments and health authorities took several measures to combat its rapid spread, such as travel restrictions, enhanced testing procedures and acceleration of vaccination campaigns.

Research and investigations led to more information becoming available about the Omicron variant, with some studies suggesting it had a higher transmission rate compared to prior strains, leading to rapid increases in COVID-19 cases across affected areas.

Regarding the severity of illness caused by Omicron variant, initial data suggested it could result in milder symptoms compared to earlier variants. However, its full impact is still being researched; further investigation will likely be necessary for gaining an in-depth knowledge of its effects.

To combat possible immune evasion and mitigate its effect, vaccine manufacturers and health authorities have collaborated on developing and administering booster doses of vaccination specifically targeting Omicron variants.

Monitoring, research, and implementation of public health measures are integral to controlling both the Omicron variant of COVID-19 pandemic as it progresses and any future variants that might emerge.

Comparison Between Delta and Omicron

A. Transmissibility and spread

1. Both Delta and Omicron variants have shown increased transmissibility compared to earlier strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
2. Early evidence suggests that Omicron may have higher transmissibility than Delta, leading to more rapid spread within communities.

B. Symptoms and severity

1. The symptom profiles of Delta and Omicron may differ, with Omicron potentially presenting with a different set of symptoms compared to earlier variants.
2. The severity of illness associated with both variants is still being studied, but Delta has shown a higher likelihood of severe illness and hospitalization compared to earlier strains. The severity of Omicron is still under investigation.

C. Vaccine effectiveness

1. Delta has shown reduced effectiveness of some vaccines, particularly with one dose or in individuals who are partially vaccinated.
2. Initial data suggest a potential reduction in vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant compared to earlier strains, which has prompted recommendations for booster doses to enhance protection.

D. Global impact and response

1. Both Delta and Omicron variants have caused significant global impacts, leading to surges in cases and straining healthcare systems.
2. Countries have implemented various measures to control the spread of both variants, including travel restrictions, enhanced testing, and public health guidelines.

E. Public health measures and precautions

1. Adherence to public health measures, such as mask-wearing, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and ventilation, is crucial in preventing the spread of both Delta and Omicron variants.
2. Vaccination, including booster doses, is recommended to reduce the severity of illness and limit the impact of both variants.

Noting the information here based on knowledge available as of September 2021 may prove misleading, since more recent developments may have taken place regarding Delta and Omicron variants; ongoing studies and updated guidelines should always be consulted for the most up-to-date knowledge.

Comparison chart

Here’s a comparison chart highlighting the key differences between the Delta and Omicron variants:

Aspect	Delta Variant	Omicron Variant
Origin	First identified in late 2020 in India	First identified in November 2021 in South Africa
Transmissibility	Increased transmissibility compared to earlier variants	Potentially higher transmissibility compared to Delta and earlier variants
Symptoms	Similar symptoms to earlier variants (fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue)	Potentially different symptom profile (fatigue, headache, muscle pain, cough)
Severity	Higher likelihood of severe illness and hospitalization compared to earlier variants	Severity still being studied and understood
Vaccine effectiveness	Reduced effectiveness with one dose or partial vaccination; good protection with two doses of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna)	Potential reduction in vaccine effectiveness, booster doses recommended
Global impact	Caused significant outbreaks globally, led to strain on healthcare systems	Prompted travel restrictions, increased testing, and surveillance measures
Public health measures	Adherence to preventive measures and vaccination crucial	Adherence to preventive measures and booster doses recommended

Is it Delta or Omicron how to define ? 

There are reports of symptoms that differ between the two types, there’s no way to tell which one you’re suffering from based on your symptoms alone.

Genome sequencing is the only way to be able to identify which version of Covid-19 you are suffering from. Such tests may only be performed when a physician considers that there is a valid clinical justification for doing so. It is likely that unless you are extremely ill or hospitalized, you will not realize what kind of problem you are suffering from.

If you are suffering from the mildest form of Covid-19 that can be treated at home.

You should follow the same tips to manage symptoms regardless of the variation:

•  Bed rest
• Ibuprofen and regular paracetamol to reduce fever and pain,
•  Lozenges for treating sore throat.
• Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly.

Conclusion

Delta and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2 that emerged during COVID-19 are two notable subvarieties of this virus strain that exhibit increased transmissibility than earlier strains; both also exhibit unique traits between themselves.

The Delta variant first identified in India has demonstrated higher transmissibility and hospitalization risk compared to earlier variants, leading to widespread outbreaks worldwide and prompting public health measures to control its spread. Two doses of mRNA vaccine have proven particularly effective at mitigating its impact; two vaccination campaigns can prevent severe illness with good effectiveness.