Have you prevented this (covids 19 strains)?

 

We Could Have Prevented This’

The scientist Eric Topol on the Delta variant and its dangerous impact.

The Delta strain of COVID-19 is going to bring a deadly new wave of cases this fall, but some people will be at far more risk than others. Scientist

Eric Topol explains.

 

The latest news, analysis and projections for the novel coronavirus pandemic, updated throughout the day.

THE REAL WAVE:

How Much Should You Worry About The Delta Variant?

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The Delta strain of COVID-19 is going to bring a deadly new wave of cases this fall, but some people will be at far more risk than others. Scientist Eric Topol explains.

How Much Should You Worry About The Delta Variant?

The Lede

The Delta variant has spread worldwide, and it's even managing to infect and manifest symptoms in those vaccinated against COVID-19. Things are going to get grim in terms of case rates and deaths among the unvaccinated and more vulnerable populations, but while vaccinated individuals may still contract the virus, they're much more likely to avoid death and hospitalization.

Key Details:

About 85% of infections are from Delta, and that number will rise quickly. Topol estimates we'll see around 250,000 cases per day, though vaccines mean death rates will be lower than they were before.

Topol says that while Delta will affect many communities, it won't get to everyone: it's likely to burn out by early fall, and case rates will drop — unless another variant rises.

With rising case rates, long COVID cases — still poorly understood and overlooked — become an even bigger concern, too.

A long and laborious process is involved in developing effective vaccines against acute viral infections, and there are currently few antidotes to treat dangerous bacteria. Now a team of researchers from our Technical University is working on a vaccine that could prevent viral infections.

Scientists Donald Caspar and Aaron Klug discovered in 1962 how viruses build their protein envelopes via geometrical principles. This discovery informed the engineering team at BTU Munich around Hendrik Dietz to design proteins that may form envelopes around all viruses.

We could not have built objects using DNA origami technology at that time that could accommodate any virus - they were just too small," recalls Hendrik Dietz in retrospect. "Building stable hollow bodies of such a size was extremely challenging."

An ordinary half-shell of the right size reduces virus activity," says Hendrik Dietz. "If we put five binding sites on the inside, for example suitable antibodies, we can already inhibit virus growth by 80 percent, if we incorporate more, we can significantly reduce viral infection".

 Hendrik Dietz explains that our programmable system provides opportunities beyond its application as a virus trap. "It would also be possible to use it as a micro-chip for teaching students how to code."