Scientists in Britain estimate the risk of hospitalization with the delta strain of COVID

People infected with the Indian SARS-CoV-2 variant (delta strain) are twice as likely to be hospitalized as those infected with the alpha strain (UK variant). This conclusion was made by specialists from the Public Health Service of England (PHE) and the University of Cambridge, their study was published by The Lancet.

The study was conducted from March 29 to May 23, 2021, scientists studied the data of 43.3 thousand patients with coronavirus in England. 8.6 thousand people were infected with the Indian strain of SARS-CoV-2, 34.6 thousand with the British one. The average age of the subjects was 31 years.

"This study showed a higher risk of hospitalization or emergency room visits for COVID-19 patients infected with the delta variant compared to those infected with the alpha variant," the report says. The authors warn that an outbreak of the Indian strain in a population not vaccinated against the coronavirus will lead to a heavier burden on the healthcare system.

Most of the participants were not vaccinated against the coronavirus, Gavin Dabrera, a PHE epidemiologist and one of the authors of the study, told Sky News. “We already know that vaccination offers excellent protection against the delta strain and as this option accounts for over 98% of COVID-19 cases in the UK, it is vital that those who have not received two doses of the vaccine do so as soon as possible. ", he said.