shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > News > World News > Article > Delta the most transmissible variant spreading rapidly WHO

Delta, the most transmissible variant, spreading rapidly: WHO

Updated on: 27 June,2021 07:36 AM IST  |  United Nations
Agencies |

Covid-19 Technical Lead at the WHO warned that events that are large scale and see huge crowds “will have consequences”

Delta, the most transmissible variant, spreading rapidly: WHO

Sydneysiders queue outside a vaccination centre. Residents have been banned from leaving the city to control the spread of the virus. Pic/AFP

The Delta variant of Covid-19, identified in at least 85 countries, is the “most transmissible” of the variants identified so far and is spreading rapidly among unvaccinated populations, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned. “I know that globally there is currently a lot of concern about the Delta variant, and the WHO is concerned about it too,” Director-General Ghebreyesus said at a press briefing. The Delta variant was first identified in India.


He noted with concern that as some countries ease public health and social measures, “we are starting to see increases in transmission around the world.” “More cases means more hospitalisations, further stretching health workers and health systems, which increases the risk of death,” he said.


In a strong warning, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Covid-19 Technical Lead at the WHO said, many European countries are witnessing a decline in cases, but there are a lot of events happening across the region, including large sporting or religious events “or even backyard barbecues”. “We are already starting to see some consequences of these events with increasing transmission again,” Kerkhove said. “So we need some kind of movement to pull ourselves together to drive transmission down and keep it down,” she said.


‘Booster may be needed for J&J shot’

Infectious disease experts are weighing the need for booster shots of the Pfizer/BioNTech, or Moderna vaccines for Americans, who received Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose vaccine due to the increasing prevalence of the more contagious Delta Coronavirus variant. UK studies show that two doses of either the Pfizer/BioNTech or AstraZeneca vaccines are significantly more protective against the variant than one.

18,12,59,593
TOTAL Number OF CORONAVIRUS 

CASES IN THE WORLD

39,26,977
Number OF DEATHS WORLDWIDE 

16,58,36,877
Number OF RECOVERED PATIENTS

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK