The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Coronaviruses (CoVs) are positive-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) viruses which have a crown-like appearance. The nature of RNA viruses is to evolve and undergo changes in their genetic makeup giving rise to different mutant variants that may have different characteristics than their ancestral strains. As of June 22, 2021, four SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have been identified by the WHO since the beginning of the pandemic:¹

• Alpha (B.1.1.7): first variant of concern described in the United Kingdom (UK) in late December 2020
• Beta (B.1.351): first reported in South Africa in December 2020
• Gamma (P.1): first reported in Brazil in early January 2021
• Delta (B.1.617.2): first reported in India in December 2020

From the start of the covid-19 pandemic till July 2021, the delta variant is being considered as the contagious form of the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus so far. It has been detected in 132 countries worldwide.

Some studies from WHO state that there must be some mutations within the delta variant that enhances its attachment to cell ore easily compared to other variants. Laboratory studies also disclose that theres increased replication of this variant in some of the model human airway systems. Also, some laboratory studies conclude that lower CT values and high viral loads were observed in individuals infected with the delta variant.²

Reports from WHOs Covid-19 team stated that evidence showed that the delta variant was first detected in India and its transmission is high among people who were participating in social mixing and gathering, but no significant data was available confirming children were the specific target by delta variants.³

Recently, U.S. health officials have shown concern over the continuous increase in Delta infections and cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is very contagious and has a seasonal flu-like illness and affecting children and older adults.⁴

Hence, currently, it is very difficult to comment on whether the delta variant is affecting children more or not. Prevention is always better than cure, so the best way to fight this deadly pandemic is to move forward with the vaccination campaign and preventive measures together hand in hand and try to bring back the normal phase of life among all age groups of people.

References:

1. Cascella M, Rajnik M, Aleem A, et al. Features, Evaluation, and Treatment of Coronavirus (COVID-19) [Updated 2021 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Intenet source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554776/.Accessed on 5-Jul-21.
2. Stuart Ray, M. D., Robert Bollinger, Raj and Kamla Gupta New Variants of Coronavirus: What You Should Know. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/a-new-strain-of-coronavirus-what-you-should-know (5-Aug-21).
3. COVID-19 Delta Variant Not Specifically Targeting Children, Says WHO. World Agence France-Presse, https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/covid-19-delta-variant-not-specifically-targeting-children-says-who-2499095 (5-Jul-21).
4. Jiménez, J. In addition to Covid, more children are getting a respiratory virus more commonly seen in winter. The New York Times 1-Aug-21, 2021. Intenet source:https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/01/world/delta-variant-kids-infections.html, Accessed on 5-Jul-21.