What is the Delta coronavirus variant? The B.1.617 lineage, identified in October, refers to several variants of the virus that causes Covid-19.
The most concerning of the lineage is the Delta, or B.1.617.2, variant, which scientists say appears to have two advantages over earlier forms of the virus.
It has been found to be more infectious and appears to be more effective at evading vaccines, though people who are fully vaccinated still have significant protection against illness. What are the symptoms of the Delta variant? In general, they are the same as the symptoms of other Covid-19 strains: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, temporary loss of taste or smell, flulike respiratory and digestive problems, muscle aches and fatigue.