Delta reported in 85 nations: WHO

Deadly variant of Covid-19 continues to spread as more cases are detected globally

NEW YORK/COPENHAGEN: The highly transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus is expected to become a “dominant lineage” if current trends continue, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned, after it was reported in 85 countries and continues to be detected in more places around the world.

A weekly epidemiological update released on June 22 by the 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.

The 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 the Alpha variant, and is expected to become a dominant lineage if current trends continue.”

The update said India reported the highest number of new Covid-19 cases, 441,976 over the past week, a 30% decrease as compared to the previous week. The highest numbers of new deaths were reported in India 16,329 new deaths; 1.2 new deaths per 100,000; and a 31% decrease.

Southeast Asia reported over 600,000 new cases and over 19,000 new deaths, a 21% and a 26% decrease respectively compared to the previous week.

“Decreasing trends in weekly case and death incidence in the region are predominantly associated with decreases reported in India,” the update said.

The WHO noted that since the last detailed update on June 8, new evidence has been published on the phenotypic characteristics of the Delta variant. “A study from Singapore showed that infection with Delta variant was associated with higher odds of oxygen requirement, ICU admission, or death,” it said.

Delta reported at Euros, say Danish officials

Danish health officials have urged football fans who attended the European Championship game between Denmark and Belgium on June 17 to be checked for the coronavirus after they found at least three people who later tested positive for the Delta variant.

Danish health minister Magnus Heunicke tweeted that about 4,000 people sat near those who tested positive.

All those who attended the three Euro games in Copenhagen had to provide valid documents showing they were not infected with Covid-19 before being allowed to enter Parken Stadium. About 25,000 fans were allowed to attend the host team’s game against Belgium.

Brazil sets daily record for Covid infections

Brazil set a record for daily Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, with 115,228 new cases identified within 24 hours, the health ministry said, confirming the arrival of a third wave of the pandemic.

During the same period 2,392 new deaths were recorded, bringing the total to 507,109.

Brazil is the second worst-hit in the world in absolute number of fatalities, behind the United States which has suffered more than 600,000 deaths. Brazil has a total of 18,169,881 confirmed Covid cases.