It takes just seconds for a person to be infected with the Delta COVID-19 variant, which is at least two times more transmissible than other varieties.
It can be a fleeting moment of a mere 15 seconds, says Health Director General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Photo via Malaysiakini
The normal COVID-19 virus has an infectivity rate or RT of between 2.5 and 3.
Whereas, the Delta variant, has a higher Rt of between 5 and 8.
What this means is that for every 100 people infected, it could spread to 500 to 800 others.
Health experts had previously estimated that the virus could be transmitted to the closest person who is less than one-metre away within 15 minutes.
Now, however, they’ve learned that infections can happen much quicker, and the worse part… it’s airborne.
But, here’s something to look forward to…
Dr Hisham said Malaysia is expected to report fewer than 1 thousand COVID-19 cases a day by as early as October.
This can be achieved if the number of those receiving their second dose of the vaccine is ramped up to 150,000 people per day.
By: Roshini Ravindran
