After the first wave of Covid-19, which forced half of the world to go into lockdown, the Delta variant is now spreading its reaches. According to the World Health Organisation, the highly contagious and more dangerous Delta variant of Covid-19 has now spread to eighty-five countries. There have been 50 cases of Delta variant in India, and its high infection rate has affected many nations around the globe.
In the USA, White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr Anthony Fauci called the Delta variant the “greatest threat to America’s attempt to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic.” According to Dr Fauci, the Delta variant makes up 20 percent of new cases, a significant jump from last week’s 10 percent.
The United Kingdom reported the highest cases of Delta variant since January 30th on June 28th and has delayed the final unlock from June 21st to July 19th.
In Ireland, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has stated that the Delta variant will be the dominant strain from mid-July and has extended curbs and restrictions across the nation indefinitely.
In Australia, almost 70% of the nation is under curbs and restrictions due to the spread of the variant. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said, “I think we are entering a new phase of this pandemic, with the more contagious Delta strain.”
With South Africa being the worst-hit country on the African continent, fresh restrictions have been imposed this week banning gatherings, etc. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “Our health facilities are stretched to the limit… ICU beds are in short supply.”
Israel has shown remarkable and successful vaccine rollout to combat past Covid waves. However, the dropping of wearing masks in public places has led to the country’s highest daily infection rate in three months on June 30th.
In an Epidemiological Update released on June 22nd by the WHO, it was stated that the Alpha variant had been reported in 175 countries, territories, or areas, the Beta variant in 119 countries, the Gamma in 71 countries, and the Delta variant in 85 countries.
