“We are facing a virus that is constantly mutating and becomes even more contagious every time. We have restated in several occasions: it also represents an alert to Cuba where the current epidemiological context of Covid-19 is marked by the high transmission and dispersion of the disease as for the increase of critical cases and associated deaths, a reality on which the Delta strain has notoriously affected”, Portal Miranda wrote.

He pointed out that the Delta strain is spread in more than 140 countries and is predominant in Europe, the United States and other regions. Experts has also found out that it is displacing the rest of the SARS-COV 2 strains. 

However, the main alarm that brings together the Delta strain is that it is considered the most contagious strain, with an increase of 64% compared with Alfa strain, which is between 40-50% more transmissible than the Wuhan original virus.

To get an accurate idea of what this represents, Portal Miranda shared some data of interest that illustrated the cause of concern in regard with this strain:

It is calculated that Delta strain is as much virulent as smallpox (a highly contagious disease which is estimated that, after a family contact with a contagious person, more than 90 % of the susceptible subjects develop the disease).

Recent studies indicate that is twice contagious than prior strains of coronavirus.

According to OMS, the Delta strain is the biggest current risk for the world and the evolution of the pandemic.

Infections associated to this strain show a shorter incubation period and a higher amount of virus particles.

It takes only four days from the onset of infection to transmission, which is why it spreads so fast.

Several investigations have informed that is 1000 times more contagious than the original SAR-COV 2 reported in Wuhan.

The Ministry warned that the Delta strain constitute a challenge to efforts made with vaccination around the world, and “in case of not controlling the situation, it might be not the only strain we would see”.

He stated that scientific the evidence processed by the Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí (IPK) showed that this strain has replaced the Beta strain in Cuba, with a sustained increase since July.

“In August Delta became the predominant strain, detected in most of the Cuban provinces. Up to August 15th, delta was detected in more than 92% of the tested samples processed during the month”, Miranda referred.

According to the Ministry of Health, “it is important that our people learn that Cuban science is working effortlessly and our labs work is focused on the search and detection of the neutralizing antibodies of the virus in vaccinated subjects with Abdala and Soberana 02. Those are preliminary studies that show positive results and has allowed to observe that the highest figures correspond to the Alfa, the Delta and in a minor measure to the Beta strain. This is about neutralizing antibodies to the strains that currently circulate in the country and particularly to the Delta strain”.

However, he stated, “investigations reports in the world have evidenced that when a vaccinated subject is infected with Delta( even when the subject is protected against the possibility of developing critical symptoms of Covid-19)can generate the same viral load of those who have not been vaccinated yet and still disseminating the disease”.

“To stop the outbreak chain requires the support and responsibility of all the people, whether they are vaccinated or not. It is a reality that cannot be ignored in any place in the country and we will continue insisting on the commitment we have we life itself”, emphasized Portal Miranda.

He highlighted,” no matter the circulating Coronavirus strain, the main measures to avoid infection are the same, and we know them well: correct use of the face mask, ventilation of spaces, physical distancing and proper hands washing”.

“Many life could be save by just applying this measures, that when reducing contagious will allow us to move forward in the necessary immunization of the Cuban population”.      

Taken from Cubadebate