Webinar #61 | “THE DELTA VARIANT: What Every Frontliner Needs to Know”

The University of the Philippines in partnership with UP Manila NIH National Telehealth Center and in cooperation with UP Philippine General Hospital would like to invite you to join the Fight Against COVID-19! Webinar #61 Virtual International Conference Part 3 “THE DELTA VARIANT: What Every Frontliner Needs to Know” July 16, 2021 (Friday) 12nn Presenter: Dr. Franco Felizarta Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine Specialist UP Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA) Reactors: Dr. Eva Cutiongco- de la Paz Executive Director, UP Manila National Institutes of Health Director, Health Program UP Philippine Genome Center Dr. Lai Poh San Head, Human Molecular Genetics Lab Dept. of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine National University of Singapore Adjunct Faculty, Genome Institute of Singapore Dr. Abishek Rimal Regional Coordinator, Emergency Health for Asia Pacific International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Dr. Niño Dal Dayanghirang Programme Management Officer World Health Organization Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Opening Remarks: Dr. Ernesto Domingo National Scientist Professor Emeritus, University of the Philippines Closing Remarks: Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla Chancellor University of the Philippines Manila Webinar #61 “Virtual International Conference Part 3 The Delta Variant: What Every Frontliner Needs to Know“ Special Topic What are the Delta variants of SARSCov2 and what should every frontline worker know about this new phenomenon? Are the symptoms different? Is it transmitted the same way as the Alpha variant? Why are more young people affected? Can it cause more severe symptoms? Can it cause serious health problems to persons who are already fully-vaccinated? As the world races to vaccinate against COVID-19, a highly contagious version of the virus is sweeping the globe - and is feared to move faster than vaccination efforts. First detected in India and now identified in at least 92 countries, including the Philippines -- it is widely considered the most transmissible COVID-19 strain observed to date. A study by Public Health England suggests delta is 60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant. The Delta variant spreads swiftly in places where there are low vaccination rates, according to research conducted in the U.K., where the strain already accounts for 99% of new COVID-19 cases. Delta may also be linked to a greater risk of hospitalization, and is somewhat more resistant to vaccines, particularly after just a single dose of the two-shot vaccines. USA: 1 out of 4 cases are caused by the Delta Variant. UK: Despite 62% of adults being fully vaccinated, a slightly higher rate than in the U.S. Most of the new cases are in younger people who've yet to receive the two doses needed for maximum protection. Russia and Indonesia: Where vaccination rates are much lower, the new strain is already being blamed for overwhelming hospitals and filling cemeteries. Australia: Initially spared for a year and a half - have just imposed a strict two-week lockdown in Sydney. France: Delta variant now accounts for one in five new COVID-19 cases in France — a similar proportion to that seen in the U.S. Health officials warn it will soon be the dominant variant. France just finished a strict month-long lockdown. Germany: Delta variant likely already made up about 50% of the country's total COVID-19 cases. But with overall infection rates still low, federal and state officials agreed not to tighten travel restrictions within the country Delta Plus variant — a mutation of the variant found in India — is growing as Indian officials will label it as a "variant of concern". Despite this, there is limited knowledge about the Delta Plus variant Delta Plus cases are mounting fast in India, but the strain has also been detected in the U.S., U.K., China, Japan, Russia, Portugal, Switzerland, and Poland. Be on top of this emergent situation. Be a vehicle for the right information about the Delta Variants. Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Stay Connected! Together we can STOP COVID DEATHS!