The Big Issues

Covid-19 Delta Variant: Why Is It So Dreaded?

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What have you heard about the Delta Variant of COVID-19? Reports from around the world say that it's more transmissible, and this is leading to many infections and greater loss of life. What's so different about the Delta variant? And what about the vaccines? How effective are they when it comes to Delta? In this episode we sat down for a one-on-one with the professor leading the UWI's Covid-19 Task Force to ask those very questions.


News that the variant was confirmed in a person in Antigua and Barbuda was shared very recently. A Health Ministry press release stated it was "found in one of a group of seven samples taken in Antigua and Barbuda between May 5 and July 2, 2021", but the remaining details surrounding the particular case have not been reported on publicly up to this point.

The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guest is:

  1. Professor Clive Landis, the Chairman of the University of the West Indies (UWI) COVID-19 Task Force. He is a Professor of Cardiovascular Research at UWI Cavehill and his PhD is in immunology. Professor Landis is a former director of the George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre in Barbados. And he is a past Chairman of the Barbados National HIV and AIDS Commission’s subcommittee on research. Professor Clive Landis was chair of the UWI Regional Task Force on Zika. 


    2. This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on July 25th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.

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    The Big IssuesBy The Big Issues Production Team