COVID Strain More Infectious Than Delta Detected In Australia

New research suggests the Lambda COVID strain may be more transmissible than the Delta strain ravaging many countries. The Lambda strain has spread to nearly 30 countries in the last four weeks alone. Originally discovered in Peru, it now causes 82% of the countries cases. Furthermore, Peru now has the highest COVID mortality rate in the world, at nearly 10% of recorded cases.

The Lambda strain has already been detected in Australia, in an overseas traveller quarantining in NSW in April. Thankfully, it has not spread into the community yet. Research from London has shown that the strain has 7 mutations in the spike protein used to infect humans, including similar mutations to the Delta strain that increase infectiousness. Early evidence from Chile has also suggested that our current vaccines may not be as effective against the new strain, although more research is needed.

Sove CPAP Clinic is a leading Australian provider of Respiratory, Sleep Disorders, Cardiology and PPE services and products. Based in Sydney, it has a network of 40 clinics nationwide.