Delta variant now on radar

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) released new information about the newest variant of concern, variant B.1.617.2, also known as the Delta variant. Following the CDC’s recent classification update, the DHS will begin reporting current case counts that are updated weekly.

This strain was previously classified as a variant of interest, but has since been raised to a variant of concern.

Variants are most commonly raised to variants of concern if they show evidence of being more contagious, causing more severe illness or are more difficult to treat using known therapies.

To date, 26 cases of the Delta variant have been identified in Wisconsin, since April 2021. Variants are identified through a process called whole genome sequencing, which takes a sample of the virus from a positive SARS-CoV-2 test specimen and reads its genetic code. The Delta variant was first discovered in India, in samples from October 2020, and has continued to spread to other parts of the world. It is attributed as the cause of a recent rise of COVID-19 in cases in the U.K.

According to recent data, researchers believe the Delta variant spreads more rapidly and easily than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. It is not yet known if this variant has any impact on disease severity.

There is some evidence to suggest that therapeutics, such as monoclonal antibody treatments, may be less effective against this variant, because of its unique mutations. Some laboratory studies have suggested that antibodies produced by the body in response to natural infection or a COVID-19 vaccine, may be less effective at defending against the Delta variant virus, than the original strain.