Fears grow over Delta virus strain

There are rising fears the Indian strain of the Covid-19 virus could derail longawaited reopenings and plunge the world back into crisis. The so-called Delta variant, first detected in India last October, has now spread to at least 62 countries and is behind a growing number of outbreaks across Asia and Africa, the World Health Organisation says. In the UK, the Delta variant — given the new name by the WHO to simplify its scientific name, B.1.617.2 and to avoid stigmatising countries that detect new strains — now accounts for 90 per cent of new cases, which have begun to surge again despite a strong vaccination campaign. On Friday, Britain recorded 8125 new cases, the highest daily number in four months and a 58 per cent weekly increase, with 158 people hospitalised. The figures are forcing the UK Government to consider delaying the final easing of restrictions on June 21 by either two or four weeks, The Times reported.