The highly contagious “delta” variant of the coronavirus originating in India now accounts for almost all cases of novel coronaviruses in the UK, Health Minister Matt Hancock revealed on Thursday, as the immediate release of the mutant strain adds a new risk to Europe’s reopening.
Hancock told lawmakers while inquired about the government’s handling of the pandemic that the data he saw Wednesday night showed that 91% of new cases in the U. K. were made up of the delta variant.
While still ongoing with its transmission rate, Hancock told Parliament this week that the UK government estimated the delta variant was 40% more transmissible than the alpha variant (B. 1. 1. 7) first detected in Britain.
In particular, on Thursday, only 3 other fully vaccinated people in the UK inflamed with the new variant were hospitalised, according to the knowledge quoted through Hancock, who “the blows work”.
However, government knowledge shows that cases have risen dramatically in the UK: more than 41,000 new infections were reported in England in the week to nine in June, two-thirds up since the last seven-day period.
The revelation about the prevalence of the virus in the UK came as the World Health Organisation warned Thursday morning that the delta variant “is about to take hold” across Europe.
Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, encouraged countries to “act temporarily on the symptoms of the spread of cases” and suggested caution as some prepare to reopen.
Hancok noted that the vaccines appear to be effective against this edition of the virus. So far, the UK has partially vaccinated more than 60% of its population and fully vaccinated almost 43%, earning the benefits of one of the most successful vaccines. The European Union as a whole has moved more slowly, with only 42% partially vaccinated and 22% fully vaccinated against the virus; however, the spread of the variant threatens to prolong the blockades in the UK, as the government has recently wondered if it will delay the lifting of restrictions in England scheduled for June 21.
The variant is also being extended to États-Unis. La White House said Thursday that the Delta variant now accounts for 6% of coronavirus infections, but highlighted the effectiveness of vaccines opposed to the Delta strain. The United States reports a record number of hospitalizations. deaths and instances since the beginning of the pandemic.
“Fauci urges the United States to vaccinate as a destructive variant spreads in the U. K. “(Bloomberg)
“The Covid-19 Delta variant first discovered in India is spreading around the world” (The Wall Street Journal)
“The delta coronavirus variant would have a transmission merit of 60% – British epidemiologist” (Reuters)
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