File picture: Sizwe Ndingane
BEWARE of that headache, sore throat or runny nose you have, for it could very well be a symptom of the Covid-19 Delta variant, and it would be best that you isolate immediately, according to UCT Public Health Medicine Specialist Professor Mary-Ann Davies.
Davies said there is some evidence from the UK that the Delta variant’s symptom profile could be different from other variants of Covid-19 experienced in South Africa so far.
Mild though the symptoms seem, the Delta variant is more transmissible than the original Covid-19.
“The most prominent current symptoms are headaches, sore throat, runny nose and sneezing.
“The fever, loss of smell, and loss of taste are less prominent with this variant, and may impact transmission as people don’t immediately recognise it as Covid-19, and therefore, don’t isolate.”
Davies said that the confirmation that the Delta variant is now playing a major role in the country’s third wave means previous modelling projections are no longer applicable and, as a result, the South African Covid-19 Modelling Consortium group of researchers is currently updating projections, which should be available at some point this week.
Related Topics: