Amiran Gamkrelidze, head of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, says the ‘Delta’ strain is clinically more severe.
He noted that the main sources of transmission among children are parents, so he recommends that parents be vaccinated twice.
“Just like in all European countries, the circulation of ‘Delta’ strain in Georgia is increasing. We are a member of the global world, borders are open, air or land traffic is allowed, so we can’t guarantee that the strain won’t spread.
“The forecast is that in mid-August, or at the end of August, the ‘Delta’ strain will completely replace the ‘British’ strain circulating in Europe.
“We had 25 more cases of ‘Delta’ last week, while 53 cases have been confirmed so far.
“A child transferred from Abkhazia, infected with ‘Delta’ train, is in a serious condition in a hospital. Another child is infected with ‘Alpha,’ or so-called British strain.
“Alpha and Delta strains are more easily spread in children. Delta is relatively more severe clinically. The main sources of transmission among children are parents. Therefore, the main recommendation is that all parents be vaccinated twice so that their children do not get infected,” Gamkrelidze said.
For the record, 3 newborns infected with COVID-19, one of whom is infected with the ‘Delta’ strain, are still on artificial respiration.
Georgia reported 1 108 coronavirus cases, 714 recoveries, and 7 deaths on Friday, the official figures show.
By Ana Dumbadze
