United Nations- The Delta variant, the significantly more transmissible strain of Covid, is expected to become a “dominant lineage” if current trends continue, the WHO has warned after it was reported in 85 countries and continues to be detected in more places around the world.

The Covid Weekly Epidemiological Update released on June 22 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that globally, the variant Alpha has been reported in 170 countries, territories or areas, Beta in 119 countries, Gamma in 71 countries and Delta in 85 countries.

“Delta, now reported in 85 countries globally, continues to be reported in new countries across all WHO Regions, 11 of which were newly reported in the past two weeks,” the update said.

WHO said the four current ‘Variants of Concern’ being monitored closely – Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta – are widespread and have been detected in all WHO regions.

“The Delta variant is significantly more transmissible than Alpha variant, and is expected to become a dominant lineage if current trends continue.”

The update said that India reported the highest numbers of new Covid cases, 441,976 over the past week (June 14-20, 2021), a 30 per cent decrease as compared to the previous week. The highest numbers of new deaths were reported from India (16,329 new deaths; 1.2 new deaths per 100,000; a 31 per cent decrease).

Delta Variant Significantly More Transmissible, Dangerous: Indian-American Doctor

The Delta variant of the COVID-19, which now makes up 90 per cent of all new cases, is significantly more transmissible and more dangerous in terms of severity of illness that it causes, America’s Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy said on Wednesday.

“We have seen how quickly it has taken over in the United Kingdom, where it’s become – getting close to 100 per cent of new COVID cases, Delta. And we have seen a surge here too. So I am worried,” Dr Murthy told MSNBC.

“I’m quite worried about the Delta variant. It is more transmissible, significantly more transmissible. It also may be more dangerous in terms of severity of illness that it causes,” he said.

Dr Murthy said that he is worried about those people who have not been vaccinated so far.

“I’m worried about those who are not vaccinated, because what we have found is, based on the studies coming out of the UK, that if you are vaccinated, you are actually quite well-protected particularly against hospitalizations and deaths,” he said.

The Delta variant of the COVID-19, which now makes up 90 per cent of all new cases, is significantly more transmissible and more dangerous in terms of severity of illness that it causes, America’s Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy said on Wednesday.

“We have seen how quickly it has taken over in the United Kingdom, where it’s become – getting close to 100 per cent of new COVID cases, Delta. And we have seen a surge here too. So I am worried,” Dr Murthy told MSNBC.

“I’m quite worried about the Delta variant. It is more transmissible, significantly more transmissible. It also may be more dangerous in terms of severity of illness that it causes,” he said.

Dr Murthy said that he is worried about those people who have not been vaccinated so far.

“I’m worried about those who are not vaccinated, because what we have found is, based on the studies coming out of the UK, that if you are vaccinated, you are actually quite well-protected particularly against hospitalizations and deaths,” he said.

“The worry is if you’re not vaccinated, that you’re at even greater risk than you were before. So, what I don’t want to see is a growing divide in our country between the unvaccinated and vaccinated. We’ve got to close that gap. That’s why we’re working so hard to get people vaccinated everywhere,” he said in response to a question.

So far, 65.4 per cent of Americans have received at least one dose, 55.9 per cent are fully vaccinated. The vaccination rate for age 12 and older is at 62.5 per cent, and over 18 years is at 65.4 per cent.

“Your level of risk, your kid’s level of risk really depends on where you live and how high the community vaccination rates are. And this is why we always say – and I say this as a dad who’s got two young kids, three and four, whose -… we don’t have a vaccine available for kids that young. So, I’m worried about my kids, just like any other parents are,” Dr Murthy said.

“This is why we say the vaccination effort is more about what you’re doing for yourself. It’s about the step you’re taking to help protect those around you from getting infected, because even if you don’t get seriously ill, you can transmit the virus to others who are more vulnerable,” Dr Murthy said.

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