A new strain of coronavirus is raging in Moscow: symptoms, features, treatment
Over the past two weeks, a strong increase in the incidence of a new strain of coronavirus has been recorded in Russia. Its name “Delta” is an Indian strain of coronavirus and according to scientists, it is the most aggressive of all. It doubles the risk of hospitalization compared to the previously dominant Alpha strain from the UK.
In Moscow, almost 90% of COVID-19 patients have a mutated Indian strain.
Why the new strain of coronavirus is dangerous
The Indian strain is distinguished by a set of mutations that affect a significant functional region of the S-protein. This allows him to partially evade the action of antibodies. In other words, the antibodies produced by the body after the transferred covid or vaccine may not protect against a new strain.
In addition, the “delta” variant of the virus differs in its spreading speed. At the very beginning of the pandemic, one sick person infected an average of 2–2.5 people. With the advent of the British alpha version, this figure rose to 3-4 people. A patient with the delta variant already infects 5-6 people.
Symptoms of the Indian strain of coronavirus
The symptoms of the Indian strain, unlike the previous ones, appear atypically:
- No loss of smell
- Gastrointestinal disorders resemble poisoning
- Most often worried about: headache, runny nose, sore throat
- Joint pain and hearing loss
Does a vaccine help against a new strain of coronavirus
According to virologists, the vaccine provides a high level of protection from both the previous Covid-19 strains (over 90%) and from the aggressive Indian. Infection with the Indian strain of previously vaccinated people is possible, but the disease will also pass in a milder form and should not lead to complications and deaths. According to Denis Protsenko, in Kommunarka now only two of those hospitalized – have undergone a course of vaccination.
At the same time, people who managed to deliver only one component of the vaccine, as well as people with a minimum amount of antibodies, are at risk.
How is the new strain of coronavirus treated?
“In Russia, they began to adjust the treatment regimen for coronavirus due to the emergence of new strains,” said Russian Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko on June 17 at the presidium of the government’s coordinating council on combating coronavirus.
Earlier, the head physician of the hospital in Kommunarka Denis Protsenko noted that it became more difficult to treat coronavirus due to the appearance of patients who do not respond to treatment with the methods developed over the past year and a half. According to him, this makes one think that the virus has mutated during this time.
Symptomatic treatment is still used – vitamins, antipyretics, antibiotics to prevent complications in the bacterial line, and most importantly – abundant drinking and high-quality ventilation.
How not to get infected with the new Covid-19 strain
Precautions remain the same:
- Do not visit crowded places, especially closed poorly ventilated areas
- Wear a mask
- Get vaccinated if there are no contraindications