Covid-19: Delta variant detected in over 80% of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state samples

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The spread of this new strain of the virus has been extremely fast. In June, the Delta accounted for only 6% of cases. The following month it jumped to 48%, and now it is the absolute majority.

The studies are conducted by researcher Ana Tereza Vasconcelos’ team from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC). The genomic surveillance network has processed 3,952 viral genomes from 91 municipalities. The patients come from reference centers and hospitals across the state.

A study published in The Lancet scientific journal on Saturday, August 28, pointed out that people infected with the Delta variant of the novel coronavirus have twice the risk of being hospitalized. The comparison was made with people who contracted the Alpha strain of the virus, detected in the UK last November.

The spread of the Delta has led local governments to decide to advance the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, which could increase protection against the strain. The increased presence of the variant has also prompted calls for a third dose for more vulnerable populations, such as the elderly.

Last Wednesday, Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga announced that the extra dose will be required.