UNITED NATIONS: The Delta variant, the significantly more transmissible strain of Covid-19, is expected to become a “dominant lineage” if current trends continue, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned after it was reported in 85 countries and continues to be detected in more places around the world.
The Covid-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update released on June 22 by the WHO said globally, the variant Alpha had 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 were widespread and had 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 India reported the highest numbers of new Covid cases.