Delta variant spreads in nearly 100 nations: WHO

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jul 1, 2021 | moderator

New Delhi: The deadly contagious Delta variant of coronavirus, first identified in India in February this year, has expanded to reach around 100 nations, the most advanced World Health Organization (WHO) data exhibits.

Delta Variant is estimated to be two-and-a-half times more transmissible than the primary disease. The Delta variant is responsible for most new infections in India, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, South Africa, and numerous other nations, the data maintained.

As per India Today Data Intelligence Unit (DIU) analysis reports, GISAID figures of 78 nations determined that the Delta variant is presently getting a spot in India, UK, Russia, Singapore, Australia, and South Africa.

Data of the last four weeks (till June 29) point that the UK furthermore Singapore have completed 90 percent of their genome sequencing cases connected to the Delta variant.

The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was the principal Covid-19 strain following the disastrous second wave in India. It has since mutated into the variants AY.1 and AY.2. Delta plus is a mutant form of the Delta variant.

"As of June 29, 2021, 96 countries have reported cases of the Delta variant, though this is likely an underestimate, as sequencing capacities needed to identify the variants are limited. A number of these countries are attributing surges in infections and hospitalisations to this variant," the WHO stated in its most advanced weekly release and warned that the virus strains are growing quickly.

Last week, Brazil recorded the highest number of new cases (521,298 at a 3% increase) associated with the prior week.

India had the second-highest rank with (351,218 new cases; 12% increase), followed by Colombia (204,132 new cases; 5% increase) and Russia (134,465 new cases; 24% increase).

"Given the increase in transmissibility, the Delta variant is expected to rapidly out-compete other variants and become the dominant variant over the coming months," the WHO report continued.

Being concerned about the variant, Australia has commanded a lockdown in some of its cities. South Africa forced limitations for two weeks beginning June 27 to hold the extent of the virus.