According to WHO, a new variant of Covid-19 is on the rise. Delta variant is now present in 124 countries around the globe. It is the strongest strain so far and experts think it may become the dominant variant in the next few months. WHO’s predictions estimate over 200 million cases in the coming weeks.
The number of infected people is constantly rising especially in Europe and the western Pacific region. Since the death rate has significantly dropped, most western countries are easing the restrictions. However, countries with no or limited access to vaccines are at a high-time risk.
What is Delta Variant?
You must be wondering what is the Delta variant now? It is also covid, just a different type of strain than the original one. The original Covid-19 strain was much lighter as compared to this Delta variant. It was first detected in India, but now a lot more countries are reporting it. The original strain underwent some genetic changes and in return, the Delta variant was formed. It is dangerous because scientists don’t know its transmissibility rate and how effective the current vaccines are on it. In the UK, Delta has already become the dominant variant. However, according to the experts in the field, the current vaccines will definitely help in keeping the symptoms under control.
Situation of the new variant in Indonesia
Indonesia is now getting over 1300 deaths every day. It is the new Covid epicenter in Asia. The hospitals in the country are overwhelmed and working at their full capacity. Hundreds of people died in self-isolation due to a shortage of immediate treatment. Currently, there are 50000+cases every day in the country. There are strict restrictions imposed in the country and Government is likely to expand them further on Monday.
A firefighter in Jakarta is on the front line. He picks up bodies from homes and then takes them to the burial places for the final rituals. Previously, he used to arrange a maximum of 3 funerals per day. After the recent spike in cases, in a day he receives around 24 calls for funeral arrangements.
Indonesia is now focusing on vaccinating its people. There are 208 million eligible people and only 16 million are fully vaccinated. The Delta variants are spreading like wildfire and the government is now forcing the people to get vaccinated.
Delta Variant in Mexico
There is a third wave of Covid in Mexico resulting in over 15000 cases every day. In Mexico City, the Delta variant is becoming the dominant variant with around 60% cases. The government shut down the land borders between the US and Mexico due to the Delta variant spreading rapidly. Most of the people getting affected are those who did not get vaccinated.
Despite the strong variant spreading across the region, life seems to be normal on the streets. People are exhausted because of the crisis and financial struggles. They are not staying back anymore and stepping out for their jobs to earn and survive. Daily wage workers are the most affected during such times and therefore, the Mexican government is not imposing any strict restrictions because the economy cannot handle it anymore.
We are in the middle of a pandemic and the virus is no joke or conspiracy anymore. The current wave is extremely deadly and strong and unvaccinated people are facing the worst symptoms. The smart decision in such trying times is to get vaccinated at your earliest if it is accessible to you. Every type of vaccine is beneficial and you must get the dose without any discrimination between each. It will protect you from getting the worst symptoms.
