Majority of Delta-infected sheds virus before showing symptoms: Dr. Jeewandara

COLOMBO (News 1st): Delta-infected individuals shed the viral RNA even before showing symptoms, Director of the Institute of Allergy and Immunology, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara says. In a tweet, Dr. Jeewandara further stated that on average, people begin having symptoms 5.8 days after infection with Delta - 1.8 days after they first tested positive for viral RNA, which leaves two days for individuals to shed viral RNA before they show any sign of COVID-19. The doctor also mentions that before Delta emerged, individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 took an average of 6.3 days to develop symptoms and 5.5 days to test positive for viral RNA, leaving a narrower window of 0.8 days for oblivious viral shedding from the individual. He emphasizes that as a result, 74% of infections with Delta took place during the presymptomatic phase (phase before showing any symptoms), which is a higher proportion than for previous variants. Vaccines remain as a vital, effective and a significant part of our response against COVID-19,  as vaccinated individuals are 65% less likely than unvaccinated individuals to infect someone else, he adds.