COVID alert! New UK study reveals that Delta variant doubles risk of hospitalisation

The study analysing more than 40,000 COVID-19 cases in the UK confirmed by virus genome sequencing finds a two-fold increased risk of hospitalisation from Delta versus Alpha variant infections.

New Delhi: People infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant have approximately double the risk of hospitalisation compared with those infected with the Alpha variant, finds a new study. The study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, analysing more than 40,000 Covid-19 cases in the UK confirmed by virus genome sequencing finds a two-fold increased risk of hospitalisation from Delta versus Alpha variant infections. "This study confirms previous findings that people infected with Delta are significantly more likely to require hospitalisation than those with Alpha, although most cases included in the analysis were unvaccinated," said researcher Gavin Dabrera, Consultant Epidemiologist at the National Infection Service, Public Health England.