• Published on: Aug 03, 2021
  • 2 minute read
  • By: Covid Expert Online

Covid Delta Variant: Virus Is Changing And We Need To Change Too!

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Delta Variant: Virus is changing and we need to change too!

The entire world is changing its overall strategy on the coronavirus pandemic this week. Masks are back, vaccine mandates are looming, and officials have sounded more worried than they have in months. Employees must wear a mask throughout the day at work while also keeping distance from others and submitting to a virus test once per week for safety reasons driving these changes as two factors: The large number who remain unvaccinated due to fears about vaccines' health effects combined with Delta variant's rapid spread across Europe over recent weeks which forces authorities around the world into immediate action against disease threat."

The Delta variant, originally known as B.1-617.2 has been around since last year but in recent months it's become the fastest spreading virus of all time according to many experts and scientists who are researching this issue more now than ever before. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have also said that COVID-19 cases have increased over 300% nationally from June 19th to July 23rd along with parallel increases in hospitalizations and deaths are driven by the highly transmissible B: 1 617 2 delta variant which is one of a few reasons why they're so concerned about this new strain because there doesn't seem like any way we can stop or cure it yet if at all.

The Delta variant, originally known as B.1.617.2, has been around since last year but in recent months it's become speedily dominant with an 80% share of newly diagnosed cases across the US according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC says there have also been "parallel increases" in hospitalizations and deaths which are being driven by this new highly transmissible strain - COVID-19 or what is now better described as the Delta infection

Let's understand what the Delta variant is: a virus that has been around since late last year but in recent months it has become speedily dominant in many countries. It accounts for more than 80% of newly diagnosed cases.

The Delta variant is more transmissible in some studies, but not all. One CDC document indicates the Delta variant to be as contagious as chickenpox with each infected person infecting a few others. This difficult number to check because it requires much testing which has yet been done

The Delta variant is more transmissible than traditional coronavirus, but we don't know by how much. The CDC estimates that the new virus might be about 60-200% as contagious as chickenpox with each infected person infecting eight or nine others on average while a typical case of common cold only has an infection rate of two other people per affected individual. One paragraph from one CDC document indicates that this number could even be higher and since it's difficult to determine exact statistics without comprehensive testing, there are multiple possible outcomes for these estimations.

In a recent presentation, the CDC has noted that vaccines prevent more than 90% of severe diseases but may be less effective at preventing infection or transmission. However, if you're vaccinated with one of two currently approved COVID-19 mRNA vaccine brands (Pfizer and Moderna), then evidence suggests they are highly effective against hospitalization and death for various strains such as Alpha (B.1.1.7) Beta (B 1/351), Gamma( P 1 ), Delta( B/617).

 The presentation notes that vaccines are less effective at preventing infection or transmission and sometimes can lead to breakthrough outbreaks in communities despite vaccination. To help combat these effects, the site also noted Moderna's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective for many strains of measles including Alpha (B.1.1), Beta (B2) Gamma (P), Delta B(2).

A recent study has shown that the effectiveness of vaccines against certain variants may be lower than previously anticipated. The CDC is urging for ongoing monitoring to ensure appropriate vaccination strategies are developed and implemented with these new findings in mind.

Data suggest that the vaccine is less effective against confirmed infection and symptomatic disease caused by variants of influenza. Ongoing monitoring should be done to ensure that vaccines are still as effective in fighting off Delta variant though lab tests indicate immune response generated should cover it.

Delta has a unique set of mutations that may allow it to evade the human immune system and be more efficient in infecting cells. Delta's changes are limited to its receptor-binding domain, which allows for tight connections with the host cell while also helping this virus escape detection by hiding from our body's natural defenses like antibodies. One change is believed to help make these bonds tighter--making us sicker faster!

The delta virus has at least three mutations on a structure that is called the receptor-binding domain--the part of the disease-causing agent responsible for docking into human cells it infects. It may help evade detection by our immune system, and one mutation, in particular, could make it bind more tightly to infected cells.

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Healthcare Data Analytics in India: Powering Smarter, Predictive Care | SecondMedic

Healthcare Data Analytics in India: Powering Smarter, Predictive Care | SecondMedic

In today’s digital era, data is transforming Indian healthcare. From hospitals to telehealth apps, analytics is turning raw information into actionable medical intelligence.

For a country with 1.4 billion people and one of the fastest-growing healthcare markets in the world, data analytics is the key to making care predictive, preventive, and personalized.

And platforms like SecondMedic are using this power to revolutionize the way India stays healthy.

 

The Rise of Healthcare Data Analytics in India

According to NASSCOM’s HealthTech Report (2025), the healthcare analytics market in India is valued at USD 1.3 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24.5% through 2030.

The drivers behind this growth include:

  • The explosion of digital health data via ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission).

  • Rapid adoption of AI & machine learning in healthcare.

  • The need for predictive models to handle chronic disease management.

  • Growing demand for real-time insights to improve care delivery.
     

With every diagnostic test, wearable device, and teleconsultation generating data - analytics is now the engine of modern healthcare.

 

What Data Analytics Can Do in Healthcare

  1. Early Disease Prediction – AI-driven data models can predict diabetes, heart attacks, and cancer with high accuracy.

  2. Operational Efficiency – Hospitals can optimize staffing, resource use, and patient scheduling using predictive algorithms.

  3. Public Health Management – Real-time outbreak tracking and vaccination analytics improve community health planning.

  4. Cost Reduction – Data analytics can lower healthcare costs by 20–25% through better preventive strategies.

  5. Personalized Medicine – Treatment plans are tailored based on patient data and genetic factors.
     

 

How SecondMedic Uses Data Analytics for Smarter Health

At SecondMedic, data analytics isn’t just a tool - it’s the foundation of intelligent healthcare delivery.

Our AI-powered system gathers insights from diagnostics, patient profiles, and wearable data to offer:

  • Predictive risk scoring for chronic conditions.

  • Smart health dashboards that track real-time trends.

  • Personalized doctor recommendations based on analytics.

  • Population health data for corporate and wellness programs.
     

“At SecondMedic, data isn’t about numbers - it’s about saving lives before symptoms even appear.”
- Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, Medical Director, SecondMedic

 

Market Insights & Reports

  • Market Size: USD 1.3 Billion (2025) ? USD 4.9 Billion by 2030 (IMARC Group)

  • Digital Health Records Coverage: 380 Million Indians under ABDM (NHA 2025)

  • AI Usage in Diagnostics: Expected growth 35?GR (Statista 2025)

  • Hospital Data Analytics Adoption: 61% of large hospitals using analytics tools (FICCI HealthTech 2025)

  • SecondMedic AI Data: 500,000+ risk profiles analyzed since 2023
     

 

Challenges in Healthcare Data Analytics

Despite rapid progress, India faces several challenges:

  • Data fragmentation across hospitals and labs.

  • Lack of interoperability between systems.

  • Privacy and cybersecurity risks.

  • Limited AI awareness among healthcare professionals.
     

However, the ABDM and NITI Aayog Health Data Policy are addressing these issues through secure digital frameworks and data standardization.

 

The Future of Healthcare Data Analytics in India

As India’s digital health infrastructure grows, analytics will play an even larger role - from precision medicine to AI-powered predictive care.

With platforms like SecondMedic, healthcare is shifting from reactive treatment to data-informed prevention, ensuring better outcomes for millions.

 

Conclusion

Healthcare data analytics in India is not about numbers - it’s about insights that save lives.

By turning data into meaningful health actions, SecondMedic is helping build a future where diseases are predicted before they progress and care is delivered before it’s too late.

Experience data-driven preventive healthcare at www.secondmedic.com

 

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