Delta variant

I just had my second Covid-19 vaccination on July 29, 2021. While writing this piece, my right arm is a bit heavy, but I’m not really bothered knowing that I’ve done my share in making the world safer from the dreaded virus.

Even with most countries rolling out the vaccine, still there are those who remain skeptical and refuse to be vaccinated.

The best source for guidance is the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The section on Advice for Public tells: “If Covid-19 is spreading in your community, stay safe by taking some simple precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, cleaning your hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue.

Check local advice where you live and work. Do it all!”

There is no certainty yet on the end of the pandemic as the delta variant has spread to most countries in the world.

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an expert of the WHO, explained: “...(T)he delta variant is identified, it really rapidly takes off and spreads between people more efficiently than even the Alpha variant that was first detected around December, January 2021... The delta variant has been reported in 96 countries and we expect that the delta variant will continue to spread.

There are a number of factors that are contributing to increased transmission around the world.

The first are these variants of concern, including the delta variant.

The second factor is that we have increased social mixing and increased social

mobility, which increases the number of contacts that individuals have.

The third factor is the relaxation or the inappropriate use of public health and social measures. Proven public health and social measures that we know prevent infections, reduce the spread of somebody who is infected with the virus to others and save lives.

And the fourth factor is the uneven and inequitable distribution of vaccines.”

She warns, “The world remains largely susceptible to infection, including any variants of concern, including the Delta variant.”

As of July 29, 2021, worldwide there have been 195,886,929 confirmed cases of Covid19, including 4,189,148 deaths, according to WHO with a total of 3,830,124,730 vaccine doses administered.