Near East University announced that Delta (India) variant was not found among 686 cases diagnosed with COVID-19 in the February-June period. The Alpha (UK) variant remains dominant in the range of 60 to 80 percent on a monthly basis.
The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, first detected in India in February, continues to spread globally. Fears are also spreading that the Delta variant could lead to a new wave of COVID-19 that could undermine health systems, reverse plans to lift restrictions, and potentially even reduce the effectiveness of vaccines. The variant analyzes performed by Near East University in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 PCR positive in the February-June period reveal that the Delta Variant was not seen in the TRNC.
Alpha remains dominant in the TRNC, Delta is not diagnosed!
Near East University announced that the Delta variant was not found among the variant analyzes performed in 686 cases that were diagnosed with COVID-19 PCR positive in the February-June period in the TRNC. In the study conducted by Near East University, it was determined that the Alpha variant maintains its dominance at a rate of 60 to 80 percent on a monthly basis in positive cases diagnosed in the February-June period.
Threatening variants
On May 10, the World Health Organization identified subsequences of the B. 1.617 mutation, including the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2), as “variants of concern/threatening variants”. This classification indicates that a variant is more contagious, causes a more severe course of the disease, does not respond to treatment, and is difficult to diagnose with standard tests.
The Delta Variant was registered as the fourth variant to be announced a “threatening variant of concern” by the WHO. Other “threatening variants” are Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) first diagnosed in the UK, Beta (B.1.351) first diagnosed in South Africa and Gamma (P.1) first diagnosed in Brazil.
Delta variant is moderately resistant to vaccine
The Delta Variant is considered to be moderately resistant to vaccines, especially in individuals receiving a single dose. A single dose of the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine can only reduce a person’s risk of developing COVID-19 symptoms caused by the Delta variant by 33 percent, according to results from a Public Health England study published on May 22. This rate is 50 percent for the Alpha variant. With the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, the protection rate against Delta increases to 60 percent. This rate is measured as 66 percent in Alpha. Two doses of Pfizer vaccine provide 88 percent protection against Delta and 93 percent protection against Alpha.
Near East University Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ stated that the global spread of the Delta variant, which is moderately resistant to COVID-19 vaccines, is worrisome in terms of the course of the pandemic, and said, “During the period from February to June, we diagnosed as Delta, Beta and Gamma in 686 cases at the Near East University Hospital that we diagnosed as COVID-19. We have not diagnosed any other variants.” Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “The fact that the Delta variant has not been seen in the TRNC allow us to have great hope in terms of pandemic management. It is of great importance to take special measures to prevent this variant from entering the country. Emphasizing the importance of determining which variant is infected the patients diagnosed with COVID-19, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “The ability of the SARS-CoV-2 PCR Diagnosis and Variant Analysis Kit, which we have developed at Near East University is of great importance in the management of the epidemic process and in detecting the Delta variant, as well as the Alpha, Beta and Gamma variants classified as threatening variants by the World Health Organization.”