Delta Variant: Paediatrician advises adults to wear face mask

A Benin-based Paediatrician, Dr Samuel Ikponwonsa, has advised the public, especially adults to always wear face mask in order to curtail the spread of the Delta variant of the COVID-19.

Ikponwonsa, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Benin, said that the new strain of the virus was highly contagious and easily transmitted.

According to him, nearly 80 per cent of patients who tested positive for COVID-19 around the world had the Delta variant.

“The Delta variant, which originated in India, began spreading more rapidly and making news around the middle of June.

“The symptoms of the Delta variant appears to be the same as the original version of COVID-19.

“However, physicians are seeing people getting sicker quicker, especially for younger people.

“Recent research found that the Delta variant grows more rapidly, and to a much greater level, in the respiratory tract.

“Typically, vaccinated people are either asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms if they contract the Delta variant.  Their symptoms are more like those of a common cold, such as cough, fever or headache, with the addition of significant loss of smell,” he said.

He advised the public to get vaccinated and always wear a face mask in order to avoid the virus.

Ikponwonsa said that vaccines were highly effective at preventing COVID-19 infection and are also effective in fighting against the Delta variant.

“Some experts are recommending wearing masks, even if you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“I am also advising vaccinated people to avoid large gatherings and mask up indoors where the vaccination status of other people is unknown,” he said. (NAN)