COVID-19 Delta variant stays airborne longer, experts say

Experts in Sydney, Australia are pointing to the more infectious Delta variant as the cause in its latest surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections.

According to Rida Reyes’ report on “24 Oras Weekend,” the experts worried over the airborne transmission of the variant, which began at an airport near Bondi Beach in Downtown Sydney.

Authorities first discovered the Delta variant on June 15.

Within seconds after making contact, an airline crewman infected the limousine driver that picked him up from the airport. The crewman went on to infect others.

Meanwhile, the driver visited a clothing store, unaware that he had already acquired the Delta variant. At the store, he would pass by another male, who would also get infected within seconds.

A female senior citizen that was just sitting outside a coffee shop also got infected after the driver entered the establishment.

Experts said the Delta variant stays airborne for a longer time. The variant can easily infect individuals staying in the same place sharing the same air.

At present, the Department of Health said there are no local cases of the Delta variant in the Philippines.

“With regard to this Delta variant being airborne, we still need to get sufficient evidence and confirmation from WHO,” Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

“Although it has been shown in different studies na napakabilis mapanghawa nitong Delta variant, in just seconds lang po, nakakapanghawa na siya agad,” she added. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News