We all know by now that the Delta variant of coronavirus is highly transmissible and contagious, which has spread to 125 countries.
But how dangerous is it actually?
Well, according to United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Dr Rochelle Walensky, it has turned out to be one of the most infectious respiratory diseases witnessed by scientists.
A new study has showed that people diagnosed with Delta variant can have 1,000 times more virus in their nasal passages than those with the original strain of SARS-CoV-2.
“The delta variant is more aggressive and much more transmissible than previously circulating strains. It is one of the most infectious respiratory viruses we know of, and that I have seen in my 20-year career,” Dr Walensky said.
“This virus has no incentive to let up, and it remains in search of the next vulnerable person to infect,” he added.
The Delta variant, which was first detected in India, currently accounts for 83 per cent of cases in the USA, which has seen an increase of about 53 per cent in the seven-day average of new cases from last week.
On Thursday, 37,674 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the USA.
There have also been a 32% spike in hospitalizations and 19% increase in deaths per day compared to last week.
