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How the Delta variant achieves its ultrafast spread

Viral load is roughly 1,000 times higher in people infected with the Delta variant than those infected with the original coronavirus strain, according to a study in China.
  1. Sara Reardon

    1. Sara Reardon is a freelance writer in Bozeman, Montana.

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Since first appearing in India in late 2020, the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 has become the predominant strain in much of the world. Researchers might now know why Delta has been so successful: people infected with it produce far more virus than do those infected with the original version of SARS-CoV-2, making it very easy to spread.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-01986-w

References

  1. Li, B. et al. Preprint at medRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.07.07.21260122 (2021).

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