The “delta” in “delta variant” means “deep sleep.”

The highly contagious delta variant is now the predominant COVID-19 strain in the United States, but some continue to cast doubt on the risk the virus poses to people around the world. 

“You’re under a spell,” reads the text above an image in a Facebook post of a man sleepwalking with faint photos of Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates, who appears to be holding a needle and vial, floating behind him. 

Below the image it says “delta variant” and “delta = deep sleep.” 

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The delta variant doesn’t refer to “deep sleep.” 

In May, the World Health Organization announced it was assigning letters of the Greek alphabet to label key COVID-19 variants.  

“These labels were chosen after wide consultation and a review of many potential naming systems,” WHO says on its website. “WHO convened an expert group of partners from around the world to do so, including experts who are part of existing naming systems, nomenclature and virus taxonomic experts, researchers and national authorities.” 

Other variants have been labeled with other letters of the Greek alphabet: alpha, beta and gamma. When all 24 letters in the Greek alphabet have been assigned to variants, WHO will announce a new naming system, USA Today reported. 

The delta variant doesn’t refer to delta waves, which are associated with deep sleep. 

We rate claims that the “delta” in delta variant refers to “deep sleep” False.