COVID-19 Delta Variant
COVID-19 is evolving and diagnostics/treatment needs to keep up with these changes. Without pathological tissue samples on all COVID-19 deaths, we are likely to make fundamental errors in our thinking.
Children have rarely had problems early in the Pandemic and increasing admissions should indicate the virus has evolved.
The Delta variant produces 1000 times more viral particles meaning it replicates faster. This can increase the severity of the viral phase of COVID-19 becoming a severe viral pneumonia.
In persons at risk for the cytokine storm (elevated serum ACE2) the Delta variant may more easily overcome partial mucosal immunity (previous cold virus).
The treatment will be different for both situations and could worsen outcomes if not taken into consideration.
Let us learn from past failures and not assume the cause for severe disease. Autopsy, autopsy, autopsy!