Thread by @MonicaGandhi9

In this critical time of delta circulating, we need clean data on 1) what % admitted to hospital are unvaccinated; 2) if vaccinated, is it breakthrough or asymptomatic with universal screening; 3) if vax'd, need CT of PCR test or some way to know viral load

This article explains concept of viral load and how to determine from PCR cycle threshold (if that is the test hospital is using); rapid antigen is another test using lateral flow assay
washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/0…

If delta higher viral loads explaining transmissibility,
1) Asymptomatic breakthrough, low viral load: You fought the virus, brought it down & vax success, can't spread
2) Symptomatic breakthrough: Need to know if viral load high enough to transmit
3) Severe breakthrough: Boost

Going back to our viral inoculum hypothesis, does delta's higher viral load account for transmissibility, faster spread? If asymptomatic & you fought it in your nose, that boosts immune response as antibodies (but not T/B cells) may wane
thelancet.com/journals/lanin…