According to the NICD, “Gauteng, undoubtedly the epicentre of the resurgence, presently accounts for an average of 65% of daily new cases. In that province, 64% of 244 genomes sequenced from May 2021 are attributed to the Beta variant, while in June 2021 this dropped to 37%.”
In contrast, during June 53% of genomes from Gauteng were the Delta variant.
The Delta variant, first detected in India, is 97% more transmissible than the original lineage, according to research done in the UK.
Covid-19 vaccines “remain highly effective in preventing severe disease after Delta variant infection, with the Pfizer-BioNT vaccine showing 96% efficacy after two doses”.
Prof Adrian Puren, acting head of the NICD, said there was “limited data” on whether Delta produces different symptoms to Beta, and added “it is important to be mindful that reinfection with the Delta variant is possible following a Beta infection due to waning of immunity”.
He said preliminary data from the UK suggests the Delta variant can “potentially cause more severe disease”.
TimesLIVE