Thread by @Jasper_Nuyens

A summary of what we know about Delta so far 7th sept 2021, scientifically:

- Vaccines
Vaccinated people are sick for less time and less severely + less time infectious
Moderna offers the best protection with +80% protection: so less than 20% still gets sick

Pfizer offers about 70% protection, but protection decreases over time, especially in people over 60: in Israel, 60% of people in the hospital are now fully vaccinated
Many countries give 3rd Pfizer shot after 5 months, there is even talk of a 4th shot in Israel.

@AstraZeneca and @JNJ only offer 40% protection. Protection with J&J is said to increase for 8 months, but more than half of the 'fully vaccinated' are susceptible to Delta.
Combination of different types of vaccines probably offers a higher protection rate.

The chance of 'long covid' and other symptoms is halved with people who still get sick after vaccination.
So it is certainly still very beneficial to get vaccinated.
Moderna is in 'Pfase 3 trails' for an improved vaccine against Delta; probably will offer a +90% protection again.

- Children under 12y aren't vaccinated yet. Experts advise for a faster acceptance as the benefits clearly outweigh any risks.
In 🇧🇪: 1/8 of those hospitalised were young children up to 6 years of age (unvaccinated), the same percentage as those over 80 (almost all vaccinated).

Among the children who test positive:
1 in 12 get #LongCovidKids
1 in 100 will be hospitalised
1 in 20,000 die
Children are as contagious as adults and more than half are sick without symptoms
Vaccination for this group will be approved before the end of this year

- Delta is more contagious and is transmitted by both adults and children. It is transmitted as much when one has no symptoms. And as early as 2 days before one has symptoms. It is transmitted through the air, through inhalation of contaminated air. #COVIDisAirborne

On average, 4-6 days after infection, up to 12 days later; one tests PCR positive. This lasts on average for a week, but can sometimes persist much longer (exceptionally for months). Countries with proper measures use 2 consecutive negative PCR tests as the criterium for safety.

Headaches, hoarse throat or runny nose are more common with #DeltaVariant.
PCR testing remains the best way to determine infection. Rapid tests and self-tests are less accurate
Properly fitted FFP2 mouth masks block Delta
Regular mouth masks can reduce the chance of spreading.

Good ventilation, air purification and monitoring through CO2 meters (with NDIR sensor), helps against the spread and to become less sick.
Infections in the open air remain very rare.
Washing hands before eating probably remains useful.

So far - worldwide - no variants are more contagious than Delta.
Reinfection rate remains (very) low.

- Countries that aggressively suppress the virus through means such as quarantine, extensive testing and tracing manage to eliminate Delta.

Despite higher infectivity and lower vaccination rates in those countries. For example: #NewZealand, #China, #Taiwan, #Senegal. Countries that "let it go" are breeding a resistant virus and pose a danger to the rest of the world, the #WHO also warns against this thread.

Protect yourself to protect others. Wear FFP2 masks indoors with other people. Even if you are fully vaccinated, as long as the virus circulates in your area. And we shall overcome! Maybe sooner than expected!