Does the Delta variant spread worse at gas pumps?

A MESSAGE spreading on social media claims that gas pumps are the source for the rapidly-spreading Covid-19 Delta variant.

The Delta variant has already become the dominant strain of Covid-19 in the US.

Does the delta variant spread worse at gas pumps?

A social media rumor spread like wildfire that claiming the Delta variant was spreading at rapid pace via gas stations.

“The hospital sent a message this morning that the Covid-19/delta mutant virus seems to be spreading rapidly through gasoline pumps, asking everyone to wear gloves or use paper towels when refueling and handling-please share,” the message read.

“Please send it to everyone in your contact list. Don’t leave this information to yourself. Make it available to all your family and friends.”

The message does not indicate which hospital the message came from, or at what time it was sent.

Fact-checker Snopes did not entirely debunk the rumor, writing that while it was possible to transmit the virus through commonly handled objects, “we have found no substantial reports of anyone having been infected in that fashion yet.”

How does Covid-19 spread?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the primary method for spreading Covid-19 and the delta variant remains person-to-person contact.

“It may be possible that a person can get Covid-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads,” the CDC said.

To help prevent the spread of Covid and the Delta variant, the CDC recommends:

• Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.
• Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
• The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.
• Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it’s available to you.
• Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.
• If someone is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19, disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Monitor your health daily.

What are the signs you have the Delta variant?

According to Louisiana State Health Officer Joe Kanter, although the Delta variant still shows up with classic Covid symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and fever, other symptoms could be mistaken for a common cold or even just allergies.

Kanter said: “You can present with relatively mild symptoms that you can easily confuse for allergies or something that you picked up from your kid who is in daycare, all of those things.

“If you have any symptoms, no matter how mild, even if it is a sore throat, even if it is a runny nose, even if it is sinus congestion, go get yourself tested and limit your contact with other people until you do so.”

A study of Covid symptoms by ZOE also found that sneezing is a common sign of the Delta variant.

The researchers wrote: “Our data shows that people who had been vaccinated and then tested positive for Covid-19 were more likely to report sneezing as a symptom compared with those without a jab.”

The Delta variant, which was first detected in India, surpassed the Alpha strain to become dominant in the US on July 7.

It is also more transmissible than the original, as well as the common cold and influenza, according to Yale Medicine.