key: cord-0714239-wnnu9omq
authors: Yazdanpanah, Fereshteh; Yazdanpanah, Shayan; Rezaei, Nima
title: COVID-19 Delta variation; more contagious or more pernicious?
date: 2022-01-19
journal: Acta Biomed
DOI: 10.23750/abm.v92i6.12181
sha: ee2dd2ae130388baefdeeab81ed9095f7aaaa3bf
doc_id: 714239
cord_uid: wnnu9omq

To the editor, Among the advancement of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pathogenic virus proceeds to change genomic epidemiology and steadily whole-genome sequencing evolution. One of the latest variations, SARS-CoV-2 delta, B.1.617.2 variant of concern (VOC) formerly, has become the most prevalent type of SARS-CoV-2 in many countries [1]. It identified following an upsurge in the western part of India since January 2021. More detailed analysis disclosed that the prevailing lineage in distribution is a novel identified lineage B.1.617 holding in common signature mutations D111D, G142D, L452R, E484Q, D614G, and P681R, in the spike protein, containing within the receptor-binding domain (RBD) [2, 3]. Following the initial high mortality rate of this variation in India as its hostess, as the growing number of fatal reports from several countries regarding its transfer to most parts of world in recent months, Delta variation was known as the deadliest COVID-19 [4, 5, 6]. According to official statistics, the mortality rate in individuals in areas where the Delta variant has become dominant is much higher than the same period and the epidemic with previous COVID-19 lineages. The enigma here is, does this mean more lethality of this variant?

To the Editor, Among the advancement of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pathogenic virus proceeds to change genomic epidemiology and steadily whole-genome sequencing evolution. One of the latest variations, SARS-CoV-2 delta, B.1.617.2 variant of concern (VOC) formerly, has become the most prevalent type of SARS-CoV-2 in many countries (1) . It was first classified in India in December 2020 and quickly established itself as the most common lineage within the country, leading to an ultimate increase in the number of cases and daily deaths and overburdening of health systems in April 2021 More detailed analysis disclosed that the prevailing lineage in distribution is a novel identified lineage B.1.617 holding in common signature mutations D111D, G142D, L452R, E484Q, D614G, and P681R, in the spike protein, containing within the receptor-binding domain (RBD) (2, 3) .

Following the initial high mortality rate of this variation in India as its hostess, as the growing number of fatal reports from several countries regarding its transfer to most parts of world in recent months, Delta variation was known as the deadliest COVID-19 (4-6).

According to official statistics, the mortality rate in individuals in areas where the Delta variant has become dominant is much higher than the same period and the epidemic with previous COVID-19 lineages. The enigma here is, does this mean more lethality of this variant? medical staff during the pandemic, besides the high physical and mental pressures, along with the very high number of patients and people in need of care, it is possible that the health system collapsed and care not adequately available to everyone. In any case, it should be regarded in mind that medical facilities, both in terms of medical equipment and human resources, are a certain amount and are not defined for such conditions. Additionally, even the lack of drugs and oxygen is significant in some regions in that situation. As a result, the disproportionate number of people in need of care and available facilities will increase the casualties.

So it seems that conducting a comprehensive study considering all these aspects helps to clarify our initial question. Is Delta variation more lethal, or does it takes more victims for more transmissibility?

Conflicts of interest: Each author declares that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g. consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangement etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

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