With looming uncertainty over the Omicron variant and subsequent global alarms, in the latest providing some clarity, WHO chief said that there is an increased risk of reinfection from this variant, however, there is evidence that it causes milder diseases as compared to Delta variant.

WHO: Omicron more transmissible but milder than Delta variant

Even as the severity of Omicron remains unclear, a research team from Imperial College, London after conducting a huge study on Friday said that there is no evidence to suggest cases of new variant are less severe than Delta. &nbsp;

The team suggested the findings on the basis of the proportion of people testing positive, who had symptoms or went to the hospital. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-threat-of-omicron-wave-americans-rush-to-get-covid-19-boosters-437648" hreflang="en">Amid threat of Omicron wave, Americans rush to get COVID-19 boosters</a>

It may be too soon to say how hospitalisations will play out in the UK. &nbsp;

The study showed that having Covid earlier provides only 19% protection against Omicron while getting two doses of a vaccine made it just 20%. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A booster dose, however, helped by blocking around 55% to 80% symptomatic cases. &nbsp;

From November 29 to December 11, the team analysed all PCR test-confirmed cases of coronavirus in England. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-france-fears-dominance-of-omicron-covid-variant-in-2022-canada-lifts-travel-ban-437815">As France fears dominance of Omicron Covid variant, Canada lifts travel ban</a>

It was one of the most expansive examinations of Omicron's potential to infect people. &nbsp;

The proportion of new Covid variant, Omicron, seems to be doubling among Covid cases in every two days up to December 11, the team said. &nbsp;

It means every person infected with new variant passed it on to over three other people. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Even as the severity of Omicron remains unclear, a research team from Imperial College, London after conducting a huge study on Friday said that there is no evidence to suggest cases of new variant are less severe than Delta.

Even as the severity of Omicron remains unclear, a research team from Imperial College, London after conducting a huge study on Friday said that there is no evidence to suggest cases of new variant are less severe than Delta. The team suggested the findings on the basis of the proportion of people testing positive, who had symptoms or went to the hospital. Also Read: Amid threat of Omicron wave, Americans rush to get COVID-19 boosters It may be too soon to say how hospitalisations will play out in the UK. The study showed that having Covid earlier provides only 19% protection against Omicron while getting two doses of a vaccine made it just 20%. A booster dose, however, helped by blocking around 55% to 80% symptomatic cases. From November 29 to December 11, the team analysed all PCR test-confirmed cases of coronavirus in England. Also Read: As France fears dominance of Omicron Covid variant, Canada lifts travel ban It was one of the most expansive examinations of Omicron's potential to infect people. The proportion of new Covid variant, Omicron, seems to be doubling among Covid cases in every two days up to December 11, the team said. It means every person infected with new variant passed it on to over three other people. (With inputs from agencies)

No evidence to suggest new variant Omicron less severe than Delta, reveals UK study

The UK Health Security Agency, a public health protection body, said AY.4.2, which was last week seen in six percent of cases, had been "designated as a variant under investigation" but not yet a "variant of concern".

United Kingdom: Health experts probe Delta subvariant after rise in Covid cases

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has recently said that the new mutated form of coronavirus, being termed as ‘Delta Plus’, may spread more easily than the regular Delta variant. It has been moved up to the "variant under investigation" category, to reflect this possible risk.

The scientists are confident that the existing vaccines should still work well and should be able to protect people.

As of now, the delta variant still accounts for most COVID-19 infections in the UK. However, the cases of 'Delta Plus' or AY.4.2 have been increasing. As per the official data, &nbsp;6 per cent of the COVID-19 cases are of this type.

The experts have said that it is unlikely to take off in a big way or escape current vaccines. However, the officials say that there is some early evidence that it may have an increased growth rate in the UK compared to Delta.

UKHSA said, "This sub-lineage has become increasingly common in the UK in recent months, and there is some early evidence that it may have an increased growth rate in the UK compared to Delta."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/delta-variant-will-not-increase-risk-of-developing-severe-childhood-covid-study-410720">Also read |&nbsp;Delta variant will not increase risk of developing severe childhood Covid: Study</a>

AY.4.2 is an offshoot of Delta that includes some new mutations affecting the spike protein. Other mutations, including, Y145H and A222V, have been found in various other coronavirus lineages since the beginning of the pandemic.

A few cases have been identified in the US. Also, there had been some cases in Denmark, but new infections with AY.4.2 have since gone down there.

The UK is already offering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to higher risk people ahead of winter.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UKHSA, was quoted by The BBC as saying, "The public health advice is the same for all current variants. Get vaccinated and, for those eligible, come forward for your third or booster dose as appropriate as soon as you are called.

"Continue to exercise caution. Wear a mask in crowded spaces and, when meeting people indoors, open windows and doors to ventilate the room. If you have symptoms take a PCR test and isolate at home until you receive a negative result."

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has recently said that the new mutated form of coronavirus, being termed as ‘Delta Plus’, may spread more easily than the regular Delta variant.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has recently said that the new mutated form of coronavirus, being termed as ‘Delta Plus’, may spread more easily than the regular Delta variant. It has been moved up to the "variant under investigation" category, to reflect this possible risk. The scientists are confident that the existing vaccines should still work well and should be able to protect people. As of now, the delta variant still accounts for most COVID-19 infections in the UK. However, the cases of 'Delta Plus' or AY.4.2 have been increasing. As per the official data, 6 per cent of the COVID-19 cases are of this type. The experts have said that it is unlikely to take off in a big way or escape current vaccines. However, the officials say that there is some early evidence that it may have an increased growth rate in the UK compared to Delta. UKHSA said, "This sub-lineage has become increasingly common in the UK in recent months, and there is some early evidence that it may have an increased growth rate in the UK compared to Delta." Also read | Delta variant will not increase risk of developing severe childhood Covid: Study AY.4.2 is an offshoot of Delta that includes some new mutations affecting the spike protein. Other mutations, including, Y145H and A222V, have been found in various other coronavirus lineages since the beginning of the pandemic. A few cases have been identified in the US. Also, there had been some cases in Denmark, but new infections with AY.4.2 have since gone down there. The UK is already offering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to higher risk people ahead of winter. Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UKHSA, was quoted by The BBC as saying, "The public health advice is the same for all current variants. Get vaccinated and, for those eligible, come forward for your third or booster dose as appropriate as soon as you are called. "Continue to exercise caution. Wear a mask in crowded spaces and, when meeting people indoors, open windows and doors to ventilate the room. If you have symptoms take a PCR test and isolate at home until you receive a negative result."

Delta 'Plus' variant may be more easily transmissible: UK health experts

Israel has confirmed a case of a subvariant of the Delta strain of the coronavirus previously reported in some European countries, the health ministry said.&nbsp;

"The variant AY 4.2. that has been discovered in a number of countries in Europe has been identified in Israel," a ministry statement said late Tuesday.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-reports-surge-in-coronavirus-cases-as-govt-keeps-close-watch-421903">UK reports surge in coronavirus cases as govt keeps 'close watch'</a>

An 11-year-old boy arriving from Europe was the carrier, the ministry said, adding that the case was identified at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv. The boy was quarantined and no further contacts have been discovered, the ministry said.&nbsp;

The AY 4.2. variant has turned up several times in the United Kingdom.&nbsp;

Francois Balloux, professor of computational systems biology at University College London, has told AFP that the subvariant is rare and does not appear to pose the same risk of significantly increased transmission as other strains.&nbsp;

The variant was discovered as Israel considers loosening restrictions on tourism following a drop in cases.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dcgi-seeks-technical-opinion-to-approve-covaxin-for-kids-421886">DCGI seeks 'technical opinion' to approve Covaxin for kids</a>

An earlier plan to reopen the borders foundered amid a rise in cases driven by the Delta strain.&nbsp;

In late August and early September, new cases topped 11,000 a day.&nbsp;

Authorities launched an aggressive campaign to inoculate citizens with a third, booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which drove down infections.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, authorities reported 1,487 new cases over the previous 24 hours.

Israel has confirmed a case of a subvariant of the Delta strain of the coronavirus previously reported in some European countries, the health ministry said. "The variant AY 4.

Israel has confirmed a case of a subvariant of the Delta strain of the coronavirus previously reported in some European countries, the health ministry said. "The variant AY 4.2. that has been discovered in a number of countries in Europe has been identified in Israel," a ministry statement said late Tuesday. Also Read | UK reports surge in coronavirus cases as govt keeps 'close watch' An 11-year-old boy arriving from Europe was the carrier, the ministry said, adding that the case was identified at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv. The boy was quarantined and no further contacts have been discovered, the ministry said. The AY 4.2. variant has turned up several times in the United Kingdom. Francois Balloux, professor of computational systems biology at University College London, has told AFP that the subvariant is rare and does not appear to pose the same risk of significantly increased transmission as other strains. The variant was discovered as Israel considers loosening restrictions on tourism following a drop in cases. Also Read | DCGI seeks 'technical opinion' to approve Covaxin for kids An earlier plan to reopen the borders foundered amid a rise in cases driven by the Delta strain. In late August and early September, new cases topped 11,000 a day. Authorities launched an aggressive campaign to inoculate citizens with a third, booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which drove down infections. On Wednesday, authorities reported 1,487 new cases over the previous 24 hours.

Israel reports subvariant of Delta coronavirus strain

Vaccination is highly effective at preventing severe cases of COVID-19, even against the Delta variant, a vast study in France has shown.

The research published Monday -- focusing on prevention of severe Covid and death, not infection -- looked at 22 million people over 50 and found those who had received jabs were 90 percent less likely to be hospitalised or die.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blood-sweat-no-beers-sydney-set-to-ease-key-covid-19-curbs-419558">&nbsp;'Blood, sweat, no beers': Sydney set to ease key COVID-19 curbs</a>

The results confirm observations from the US, the UK and Israel, but researchers say it is the largest study of its kind so far.

Looking at data collected starting in December 2020, when France launched its jab campaign, the researchers compared the outcomes of 11 million vaccinated people with 11 million unvaccinated subjects.

They formed pairs matching an unvaccinated individual with a vaccinated counterpart from the same region and of the same age and sex, tracking them from the date of the vaccinated person's second jab to July 20.

Starting 14 days after a second dose, a vaccinated subjects' risk of severe Covid was reduced by 90 percent, according to the research conducted by Epi-Phare, an independent medicines safety research group that works closes with the French government.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-quarantine-for-fully-vaccinated-indians-in-uk-from-october-11-british-envoy-418989">No quarantine for fully vaccinated Indians in UK from October 11: British envoy</a>

Vaccination appears to be nearly as effective against for the Delta variant, with 84 percent protection for people 75 and older and 92 percent for people 50-75.

That estimate, however, is only based on a month of data, since the variant became dominant in France only in June.

"The study should be followed up to include results from August and September," epidemiologist Mahmoud Zureik, the head of Epi-Phare, told AFP.

The study covers vaccination with the Pfizer/BioNtech, Moderna and AstraZeneca jabs, but not Jannsen which was authorised much later and is far less widely used in France.

The results also suggest that over the period of study -- up to five months -- vaccination protection against severe Covid did not diminish.

Vaccination is highly effective at preventing severe cases of COVID-19, even against the Delta variant, a vast study in France has shown. The research published Monday -- focusing on prevention of severe Covid and death, not infection -- looked at 22 million people over 50 and found those who had received jabs were 90 percent less likely to be hospitalised or die.

Vaccination is highly effective at preventing severe cases of COVID-19, even against the Delta variant, a vast study in France has shown. The research published Monday -- focusing on prevention of severe Covid and death, not infection -- looked at 22 million people over 50 and found those who had received jabs were 90 percent less likely to be hospitalised or die. Also Read | 'Blood, sweat, no beers': Sydney set to ease key COVID-19 curbs The results confirm observations from the US, the UK and Israel, but researchers say it is the largest study of its kind so far. Looking at data collected starting in December 2020, when France launched its jab campaign, the researchers compared the outcomes of 11 million vaccinated people with 11 million unvaccinated subjects. They formed pairs matching an unvaccinated individual with a vaccinated counterpart from the same region and of the same age and sex, tracking them from the date of the vaccinated person's second jab to July 20. Starting 14 days after a second dose, a vaccinated subjects' risk of severe Covid was reduced by 90 percent, according to the research conducted by Epi-Phare, an independent medicines safety research group that works closes with the French government. Also Read | No quarantine for fully vaccinated Indians in UK from October 11: British envoy Vaccination appears to be nearly as effective against for the Delta variant, with 84 percent protection for people 75 and older and 92 percent for people 50-75. That estimate, however, is only based on a month of data, since the variant became dominant in France only in June. "The study should be followed up to include results from August and September," epidemiologist Mahmoud Zureik, the head of Epi-Phare, told AFP. The study covers vaccination with the Pfizer/BioNtech, Moderna and AstraZeneca jabs, but not Jannsen which was authorised much later and is far less widely used in France. The results also suggest that over the period of study -- up to five months -- vaccination protection against severe Covid did not diminish.

Vaccines prevent severe Covid, even from Delta: study

New Zealand on Monday abandoned its strategy of eliminating coronavirus, easing some COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in its biggest city Auckland, and will instead look to live with the virus while controlling its spread.

The Pacific nation was among just a handful of countries to bring COVID-19 cases down to zero last year and largely stayed virus-free until an outbreak of the highly infections Delta variant in mid-August frustrated efforts to stamp out transmission.

"With this outbreak and Delta the return to zero is incredibly difficult," Ardern told a news conference.

"This is a change in approach we were always going to make over time. Our Delta outbreak has accelerated this transition. Vaccines will support it," she said.

Health authorities reported 29 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, taking the total number in the current outbreak to 1,357. The majority of the cases are in Auckland, which has been in lockdown for nearly 50 days.

Amid mounting pressure, Ardern has said her strategy was never to have zero cases, but to aggressively stamp out the virus. She said strict lockdowns will end once 90% of the eligible population is vaccinated.

"It`s clear that a long period of heavy restrictions has not got us to zero cases. But its ok elimination was important because we didn`t have vaccinations. Now we do. So we can begin to change the way we do things," she said.

People in Auckland will be able to leave their homes to connect with loved ones outdoors from Wednesday, with a limit of 10 people.

Early childhood education will return and people can also move around for recreation, but retail, hospitality and offices will still remain shut.

Ardern said remaining restrictions in Auckland will be eased in phases.

New Zealand on Monday abandoned its strategy of eliminating coronavirus, easing some COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in its biggest city Auckland, and will instead look to live with the virus while controlling its spread.

New Zealand on Monday abandoned its strategy of eliminating coronavirus, easing some COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in its biggest city Auckland, and will instead look to live with the virus while controlling its spread. The Pacific nation was among just a handful of countries to bring COVID-19 cases down to zero last year and largely stayed virus-free until an outbreak of the highly infections Delta variant in mid-August frustrated efforts to stamp out transmission. "With this outbreak and Delta the return to zero is incredibly difficult," Ardern told a news conference. "This is a change in approach we were always going to make over time. Our Delta outbreak has accelerated this transition. Vaccines will support it," she said. Health authorities reported 29 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, taking the total number in the current outbreak to 1,357. The majority of the cases are in Auckland, which has been in lockdown for nearly 50 days. Amid mounting pressure, Ardern has said her strategy was never to have zero cases, but to aggressively stamp out the virus. She said strict lockdowns will end once 90% of the eligible population is vaccinated. "It`s clear that a long period of heavy restrictions has not got us to zero cases. But its ok elimination was important because we didn`t have vaccinations. Now we do. So we can begin to change the way we do things," she said. People in Auckland will be able to leave their homes to connect with loved ones outdoors from Wednesday, with a limit of 10 people. Early childhood education will return and people can also move around for recreation, but retail, hospitality and offices will still remain shut. Ardern said remaining restrictions in Auckland will be eased in phases.

New Zealand drops its COVID-19 elimination plan as Delta persists

The&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;will ease coronavirus restrictions in the capital Manila to spur economic activity, officials said Tuesday, despite record infection numbers and a warning from the WHO against the move.

Restaurants, churches and beauty salons in the national capital region will open at lower capacities from Thursday to get tens of thousands more people back to work.

"We should strive for total health and this can only be realised by carefully balancing our COVID-19 response by considering both the health of our people and the economic health of the nation," President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque said.

Virus cases have surged to record levels — more than 140,000 cases in the past week — thanks to an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant.

The World Health Organization's representative in the&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;on Tuesday warned against relaxing curbs.

While six of 10 adults in the capital are fully inoculated, "this is not adequate at this point to relax quarantine positions", the WHO's official in the&nbsp;Philippines, Rabindra Abeyasinghe, told government television.

"If there is a further increase in the current transmission levels, it could lead to an overwhelming of the hospital systems, that's why we need to be very careful in calibrating how we respond to the current situation," he said.

The metropolis of 13 million will be placed on the second-highest alert under a new classification system that replaces guidelines which left many residents and business owners confused about which activities were allowed.

Localised lockdowns targeting specific buildings, streets or neighbourhoods will be enforced to check the spread of the virus, replacing the current scheme that covers entire cities and regions.

Fully vaccinated customers in the capital region can now be served indoors in restaurants and beauty salons at up to 10 per cent capacity, and at outdoor venues at up to 30 per cent capacity regardless of vaccination status.

Churches will also be allowed to seat 10 per cent of their capacity for services but other indoor group activities, including those that lead to crowding, remain banned.

<h2>Cost of lockdown&nbsp;</h2>

A succession of shutdowns since the start of the pandemic has sidelined more than two million workers in the food and leisure sectors in the capital alone, according to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.&nbsp;

Millions of children started a second year of remote lessons this week in the&nbsp;Philippines, which has kept schools closed since the start of the pandemic.

Officials said Tuesday that when the alert level is reduced to the second lowest, classrooms may reopen alongside indoor entertainment and social events at up to 50 per cent capacity.

Duterte has previously said the country cannot afford more lockdowns.

But authorities have had few options to slow the spread of the virus as hospitals have filled up and the nationwide vaccination rate remains low at 22 per cent.

The president said in a pre-recorded television address aired Tuesday that vaccinations -- now limited to priority sectors -- could start for the general adult population next month "if there is a stable vaccine supply".

The coronavirus has infected more than 2.2 million people and killed more than 35,000 in the country.

The Philippines will ease coronavirus restrictions in the capital Manila to spur economic activity, officials said Tuesday, despite record infection numbers and a warning from the WHO against the move.

The Philippines will ease coronavirus restrictions in the capital Manila to spur economic activity, officials said Tuesday, despite record infection numbers and a warning from the WHO against the move. Restaurants, churches and beauty salons in the national capital region will open at lower capacities from Thursday to get tens of thousands more people back to work. "We should strive for total health and this can only be realised by carefully balancing our COVID-19 response by considering both the health of our people and the economic health of the nation," President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque said. Virus cases have surged to record levels — more than 140,000 cases in the past week — thanks to an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant. The World Health Organization's representative in the Philippines on Tuesday warned against relaxing curbs. While six of 10 adults in the capital are fully inoculated, "this is not adequate at this point to relax quarantine positions", the WHO's official in the Philippines, Rabindra Abeyasinghe, told government television. "If there is a further increase in the current transmission levels, it could lead to an overwhelming of the hospital systems, that's why we need to be very careful in calibrating how we respond to the current situation," he said. The metropolis of 13 million will be placed on the second-highest alert under a new classification system that replaces guidelines which left many residents and business owners confused about which activities were allowed. Localised lockdowns targeting specific buildings, streets or neighbourhoods will be enforced to check the spread of the virus, replacing the current scheme that covers entire cities and regions. Fully vaccinated customers in the capital region can now be served indoors in restaurants and beauty salons at up to 10 per cent capacity, and at outdoor venues at up to 30 per cent capacity regardless of vaccination status. Churches will also be allowed to seat 10 per cent of their capacity for services but other indoor group activities, including those that lead to crowding, remain banned. Cost of lockdown A succession of shutdowns since the start of the pandemic has sidelined more than two million workers in the food and leisure sectors in the capital alone, according to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez. Millions of children started a second year of remote lessons this week in the Philippines, which has kept schools closed since the start of the pandemic. Officials said Tuesday that when the alert level is reduced to the second lowest, classrooms may reopen alongside indoor entertainment and social events at up to 50 per cent capacity. Duterte has previously said the country cannot afford more lockdowns. But authorities have had few options to slow the spread of the virus as hospitals have filled up and the nationwide vaccination rate remains low at 22 per cent. The president said in a pre-recorded television address aired Tuesday that vaccinations -- now limited to priority sectors -- could start for the general adult population next month "if there is a stable vaccine supply". The coronavirus has infected more than 2.2 million people and killed more than 35,000 in the country.

Philippines eases virus lockdown in capital to spur economy despite WHO warning

While countries are already struggling to battle with the delta variant, another variant is ready to attack and cause more serious concerns.&nbsp;

The European Medicines Agency on Thursday said that a coronavirus variant known as "Mu" could be cause for concern, although there is no data yet to show it will overtake the dominant Delta strain.

Mu, which was first identified in Colombia in January and is known scientifically as B.1.621, was classified earlier this month as a "variant of interest" by the World Health Organization. The EMA, while mainly focused on the highly transmissible Delta variant, is "also looking into other variants that might be spreading, like the Lambda one (identified in Peru) and more recently the Mu one," its vaccines strategy chief Marco Cavaleri told a press briefing.

"The Mu one being potentially more of concern because of the potential increased immune escape that it may show."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-extends-covid-curbs-in-tokyo-till-september-end-411864">Also read |&nbsp;Japan extends Covid curbs in Tokyo till September end</a>

"However, I have to say that we don't have yet data that would show that the Mu variant is spreading that much, and whether it will have any chance to overtake the Delta variant as a dominant strain."

The WHO currently identifies four Covid-19 variants of concern, including Alpha, which is present in 193 countries, and Delta, present in 170 countries.

Five variants, including Mu, are to be monitored.

After being detected in Colombia, Mu has since been reported in other South American countries and in Europe.

The WHO has said that its global prevalence has declined to below 0.1 per cent among sequenced cases. In Colombia, however, it is at 39 per cent.

As of Thursday, a total of 5,599 sequences, including both B.1.621 and B.1.621.1, had been submitted by 47 countries to GISAID, the global research database on viruses.

The bulk of the submissions were from the United States and Colombia, followed by Spain, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, and Canada.

The variant has not been detected in India so far. It is also not present in Africa, Australia, and most of Asia.&nbsp;

Globally, the cumulative prevalence of Mu is less than 0.5 per cent, according to outbreak.info.

As per a paper published in ‘Infection, Genetics and Evolution,' the Mu variant has several substitutions affecting the spike protein and amino acid changes.

Mutations including, E484K, N501Y, P681H, D614G are seen in the Mu variant have been reported in other VOIs and VOCs.&nbsp; 
These mutations are known to help the virus escape the body’s immune defences. These also help in increasing transmissibility.

While countries are already struggling to battle with the delta variant, another variant is ready to attack and cause more serious concerns. The European Medicines Agency on Thursday said that a coronavirus variant known as "Mu" could be cause for concern, although there is no data yet to show it will overtake the dominant Delta strain.

While countries are already struggling to battle with the delta variant, another variant is ready to attack and cause more serious concerns. The European Medicines Agency on Thursday said that a coronavirus variant known as "Mu" could be cause for concern, although there is no data yet to show it will overtake the dominant Delta strain. Mu, which was first identified in Colombia in January and is known scientifically as B.1.621, was classified earlier this month as a "variant of interest" by the World Health Organization. The EMA, while mainly focused on the highly transmissible Delta variant, is "also looking into other variants that might be spreading, like the Lambda one (identified in Peru) and more recently the Mu one," its vaccines strategy chief Marco Cavaleri told a press briefing. "The Mu one being potentially more of concern because of the potential increased immune escape that it may show." Also read | Japan extends Covid curbs in Tokyo till September end "However, I have to say that we don't have yet data that would show that the Mu variant is spreading that much, and whether it will have any chance to overtake the Delta variant as a dominant strain." The WHO currently identifies four Covid-19 variants of concern, including Alpha, which is present in 193 countries, and Delta, present in 170 countries. Five variants, including Mu, are to be monitored. After being detected in Colombia, Mu has since been reported in other South American countries and in Europe. The WHO has said that its global prevalence has declined to below 0.1 per cent among sequenced cases. In Colombia, however, it is at 39 per cent. As of Thursday, a total of 5,599 sequences, including both B.1.621 and B.1.621.1, had been submitted by 47 countries to GISAID, the global research database on viruses. The bulk of the submissions were from the United States and Colombia, followed by Spain, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, and Canada. The variant has not been detected in India so far. It is also not present in Africa, Australia, and most of Asia. Globally, the cumulative prevalence of Mu is less than 0.5 per cent, according to outbreak.info. As per a paper published in ‘Infection, Genetics and Evolution,' the Mu variant has several substitutions affecting the spike protein and amino acid changes. Mutations including, E484K, N501Y, P681H, D614G are seen in the Mu variant have been reported in other VOIs and VOCs. These mutations are known to help the virus escape the body’s immune defences. These also help in increasing transmissibility.

Mu variant of coronavirus from Colombia as a new reason of concern, here is all you need to know

The first cases of Delta variant of Covid-19 have been recorded in the impoverished Sahel state of Niger, which until now has been relatively spared in the pandemic, the authorities said Friday.

Genetic sequencing found six cases of Delta "among the last cases that occurred in August," Health Minister Illiassou Mainassara told AFP.

All the patients "were treated and recovered," he said, but added "serious forms of Covid-19 are more and more widespread."

The six cases were in the capital Niamey, the ministry's press office said, adding that efforts to track and trace contacts of the patients were underway.

"These are the first cases of Delta variant recorded in Niger, detected among people who were not vaccinated," it said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-create-new-pet-abduction-offence-after-rise-in-dog-thefts-410500">Also read |&nbsp;UK to create new pet abduction offence after rise in dog thefts</a>

Niger is the poorest country in the world, according to the benchmark of the UN's Human Development Index (HDI).

It has had relatively few cases of coronavirus compared to other countries, with an official tally of 5,867 cases, 199 of them fatal.

So far, "more than four percent" of the country's population of 20 million have been vaccinated, Mainassara said, describing this as a "small upturn" compared with July, when only 0.3 percent had been jabbed.

On Thursday, Niger received 100,800 doses of AstraZeneca from Canada under the international Covax donation scheme for poor income countries.

It has also received 400,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China, 600,000 AstraZeneca and Johnson &amp; Johnson jabs from the United States and 25,000 doses of AstraZeneca from India.

The first cases of Delta variant of Covid-19 have been recorded in the impoverished Sahel state of Niger, which until now has been relatively spared in the pandemic, the authorities said Friday.

The first cases of Delta variant of Covid-19 have been recorded in the impoverished Sahel state of Niger, which until now has been relatively spared in the pandemic, the authorities said Friday. Genetic sequencing found six cases of Delta "among the last cases that occurred in August," Health Minister Illiassou Mainassara told AFP. All the patients "were treated and recovered," he said, but added "serious forms of Covid-19 are more and more widespread." The six cases were in the capital Niamey, the ministry's press office said, adding that efforts to track and trace contacts of the patients were underway. "These are the first cases of Delta variant recorded in Niger, detected among people who were not vaccinated," it said. Also read | UK to create new pet abduction offence after rise in dog thefts Niger is the poorest country in the world, according to the benchmark of the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). It has had relatively few cases of coronavirus compared to other countries, with an official tally of 5,867 cases, 199 of them fatal. So far, "more than four percent" of the country's population of 20 million have been vaccinated, Mainassara said, describing this as a "small upturn" compared with July, when only 0.3 percent had been jabbed. On Thursday, Niger received 100,800 doses of AstraZeneca from Canada under the international Covax donation scheme for poor income countries. It has also received 400,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China, 600,000 AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson jabs from the United States and 25,000 doses of AstraZeneca from India.

First Delta case emerges in poverty-stricken Niger

The&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant&nbsp;of the virus that causes&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;doubles&nbsp;the&nbsp;risk&nbsp;of hospitalisation compared to the&nbsp;Alpha&nbsp;variant&nbsp;it has supplanted as the dominant strain worldwide, researchers reported Saturday in The Lancet.

Only 1.8 percent of the more than 43,000&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;cases assessed in comparing the two variants were in patients who had been fully vaccinated.

Three-quarters were completely unvaccinated, and 24 percent had only received one jab of a two-dose vaccine.

"The results from this study therefore primarily tell us about the&nbsp;risk&nbsp;of&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;admission for those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated," said co-lead author Anne Presanis, a Senior Statistician at the University of Cambridge's MRC Biostatistics Unit.

Researchers analysed healthcare data from 43,338&nbsp;COVID-19 cases in England from March 29 to May 23 of this year, including vaccination status, emergency care,&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;admission and other patient information.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kill-list-biden-says-us-troops-may-have-handed-a-list-of-american-citizens-to-taliban-408871">Also read |&nbsp;Kill list? Biden says US troops 'may' have handed a list of American citizens to Taliban</a>

All virus samples underwent whole genome sequencing, the surest way to confirm which&nbsp;variant&nbsp;had caused the infection.

Just under 80 percent of the cases were identified as the&nbsp;Alpha&nbsp;variant, and the rest were&nbsp;Delta.

Around one in 50 patients were admitted to&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;within 14 days of their first positive&nbsp;COVID-19 test.&nbsp;

After accounting for factors that are known to affect susceptibility to severe illness&nbsp;including age, ethnicity, and vaccination status, the researchers found the&nbsp;risk&nbsp;of being admitted to&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;was more than doubled with the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant.

'Excellent protection'

Since these samples were taken,&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;has surged and now accounts for over 98 percent of new&nbsp;Covid-19 cases in Britain, the authors said.

Multiple studies have shown that full vaccination prevents infection with symptoms and hospitalisation, for both&nbsp;Alpha&nbsp;and&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variants.

"We already know that vaccination offers excellent protection against&nbsp;Delta," said Gavin Dabrera, another lead author and a consultant epidemiologist at the National Infection Service, Public Health England.

"It is vital that those who have not received two doses of vaccine do so as soon as possible."&nbsp;

An earlier study from Scotland also reported a doubling in hospitalisation&nbsp;risk&nbsp;with&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;over&nbsp;Alpha, suggesting that&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;causes more severe disease.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant&nbsp;was first reported in India in December 2020 and early studies found it to be up to 50 percent more transmissible than the&nbsp;Alpha&nbsp;variant, which was first identified in England in September last year.

Nearly 4.5 million deaths worldwide have been attributed to&nbsp;Covid-19, though the final tally is likely to be higher once "excess deaths" are calculated over the pandemic period.

In some countries,&nbsp;and some states in the United States,&nbsp;hospitalisation and death rates are the highest they have been since the first cases reported at the beginning of 2020.

The Delta variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 doubles the risk of hospitalisation compared to the Alpha variant it has supplanted as the dominant strain worldwide, researchers reported Saturday in The Lancet.

The Delta variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 doubles the risk of hospitalisation compared to the Alpha variant it has supplanted as the dominant strain worldwide, researchers reported Saturday in The Lancet. Only 1.8 percent of the more than 43,000 Covid cases assessed in comparing the two variants were in patients who had been fully vaccinated. Three-quarters were completely unvaccinated, and 24 percent had only received one jab of a two-dose vaccine. "The results from this study therefore primarily tell us about the risk of hospital admission for those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated," said co-lead author Anne Presanis, a Senior Statistician at the University of Cambridge's MRC Biostatistics Unit. Researchers analysed healthcare data from 43,338 COVID-19 cases in England from March 29 to May 23 of this year, including vaccination status, emergency care, hospital admission and other patient information. Also read | Kill list? Biden says US troops 'may' have handed a list of American citizens to Taliban All virus samples underwent whole genome sequencing, the surest way to confirm which variant had caused the infection. Just under 80 percent of the cases were identified as the Alpha variant, and the rest were Delta. Around one in 50 patients were admitted to hospital within 14 days of their first positive COVID-19 test. After accounting for factors that are known to affect susceptibility to severe illness including age, ethnicity, and vaccination status, the researchers found the risk of being admitted to hospital was more than doubled with the Delta variant. 'Excellent protection' Since these samples were taken, Delta has surged and now accounts for over 98 percent of new Covid-19 cases in Britain, the authors said. Multiple studies have shown that full vaccination prevents infection with symptoms and hospitalisation, for both Alpha and Delta variants. "We already know that vaccination offers excellent protection against Delta," said Gavin Dabrera, another lead author and a consultant epidemiologist at the National Infection Service, Public Health England. "It is vital that those who have not received two doses of vaccine do so as soon as possible." An earlier study from Scotland also reported a doubling in hospitalisation risk with Delta over Alpha, suggesting that Delta causes more severe disease. The Delta variant was first reported in India in December 2020 and early studies found it to be up to 50 percent more transmissible than the Alpha variant, which was first identified in England in September last year. Nearly 4.5 million deaths worldwide have been attributed to Covid-19, though the final tally is likely to be higher once "excess deaths" are calculated over the pandemic period. In some countries, and some states in the United States, hospitalisation and death rates are the highest they have been since the first cases reported at the beginning of 2020.

COVID-19: Delta doubles hospital risk vs Alpha variant

A recent study suggests that two doses of COVID-19 vaccine remains the best way to protect against the Delta variant. As per the study, the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab offers the same high protection as the Pfizer-BioNTech after four to five months.

A recent study suggests that two doses of COVID-19 vaccine remains the best way to protect against the Delta variant. As per the study, the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab offers the same high protection as the Pfizer-BioNTech after four to five months. However, neither of them is effective as it is against the Alpha variant, which is responsible for most UK infections last winter. As a part of the study, the researchers analysed, two and a half million tests results from 743,526 participants in the UK's COVID-19 household-infection survey. The results concluded that Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had 93 per cent effectiveness against symptomatic infection two weeks after the second dose, compared with Oxford-AstraZeneca which was at 71 per cent. Also read | Watch | COVID-19: China locks citizens behind iron bars as Delta variant surge Also, over time, the Pfizer-BioNTech's effectiveness dropped while the Oxford-AstraZeneca's remained largely the same. Prof Sarah Walker, at the University of Oxford was quoted by the BBC as saying "when you start very very high, you've got a long way to go". "The World Health Organization set the bar at 50 per cent and we're way above that," she said. "Both of these vaccines are still doing very well against Delta." Few other discoveries of the study stated that people who have had COVID-19 gain even more antibodies when fully vaccinated. Also, younger people gain more protection from vaccination than older.

COVID-19 vaccines still effective against Delta variant, says study

Organ donation has less uptake in India, when compared to western nations. Covid-19 pandemic raging over the last 18 months, has further dwindled down the number of organ donations, say health experts. 
 
August 13 is observed as World Organ Donation Day every year to motivate people to pledge organ donation after death and to spread awareness and eliminate myths and fears regarding organ donation. 
 
During Covid pandemic lockdowns, fear of infection, and lack of awareness compounded the reduction in organ donation chances, the experts said. 
 
"The number of organ donations in our country has been very low in comparison to the western countries. Furthermore, there is a significant drop since the start of the pandemic, the reason being Covid recovered patients cannot donate immediately after recovering. Too much focus on Covid and the lack of awareness on organ donation are also the reason why this number has dropped significantly," Vishwanath S, HOD and Consultant - Nephrology, Transplant Physician, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, told IANS. 
 
There are two ways to donate organs: a living donor -- a healthy person who donates one of a pair of organs such as the kidney or part of an organ such as the liver; and/or through Cadaveric donation -- when you harvest organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas) from brain dead people, as well as tissue donation, meaning taking tissues (skin, corneas, tendons, bone) from brain dead as well as those whose heart has stopped, but in that case it has to be done with limited time period. 
 
A single cadaveric donor can give life to about six-nine recipients (two kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, intestine, eyes and tissues). 
 
"Due to Covid-induced lockdowns and reduced traffic on the roads, accidents with consequent head injury and brain death related organ donors have reduced. On the other hand, even the recipients are unable to travel to transplant centres due to intra and interstate travel restrictions," Mukul Rastogi, Additional Director-Hepatology, Fortis Noida, told IANS. 
 
"There is also an apprehension regarding Covid status and potential transmission from deceased donors to recipients and healthcare providers. Similarly, there is a risk of recipients, live donors and the healthcare team inadvertently transmitting Covid to each other," he added. 
 
However, the doctors suggest that it is safe to donate after two-three months of Covid recovery. A complete vaccination before the process can make it safer, protecting both the donor and the recipient from the future infection of Covid. Even if they develop Covid, it will be very mild. 
 
"After the Covid pandemic, doctors have been extra cautious in the procedures of organ donation. It is safe to donate once you recover from Covid. Post-Covid, we assess whether there is any Covid-related involvement of the organs. If any person wants to donate organs post-recovery, we evaluate them completely. In cases when lungs are needed to be donated, we ensure there are no residual problems before donation," Vishwanath said. 
 
Moreover, with the availability of accurate tests (RT -PCR and antibody) for Covid with a rapid turnaround time (4-6 hours), it is possible to determine whether transplant can be safely performed, the doctors said. 
 
In India, every year almost 3.5 lakh people need some form of organ transplant but less than 11,000 transplants are carried out. The overall organ donation rate in India is quite low at around 0.52 per million population, compared with 36.07 donors per million in the US. 
 
The Cardiology Society of India reveals that over 50,000 patients need heart transplantation in a year but less than 250 actually get one. 
 
As per the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation, of the 21,395 kidneys transplanted in India between 1971 and 2015, only 783 were from cadaveric donors. Out of more than 50,000 people who need liver transplant, only 2,000 procedures are being done, according to Indian Society of Gastroenterology. 
 
"Organ donation in India needs to pick up the pace to match the humongous gap that is existing between patients who need organs and organ availability. As critical illnesses are on the rise, harvesting organs from deceased bodies and making it accessible to the one who needs should be the priority," D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals, in Hyderabad, told IANS.

Organ donation has less uptake in India, when compared to western nations. Covid-19 pandemic raging over the last 18 months, has further dwindled down the number of organ donations, say health experts.

Organ donation has less uptake in India, when compared to western nations. Covid-19 pandemic raging over the last 18 months, has further dwindled down the number of organ donations, say health experts. August 13 is observed as World Organ Donation Day every year to motivate people to pledge organ donation after death and to spread awareness and eliminate myths and fears regarding organ donation. During Covid pandemic lockdowns, fear of infection, and lack of awareness compounded the reduction in organ donation chances, the experts said. "The number of organ donations in our country has been very low in comparison to the western countries. Furthermore, there is a significant drop since the start of the pandemic, the reason being Covid recovered patients cannot donate immediately after recovering. Too much focus on Covid and the lack of awareness on organ donation are also the reason why this number has dropped significantly," Vishwanath S, HOD and Consultant - Nephrology, Transplant Physician, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, told IANS. There are two ways to donate organs: a living donor -- a healthy person who donates one of a pair of organs such as the kidney or part of an organ such as the liver; and/or through Cadaveric donation -- when you harvest organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas) from brain dead people, as well as tissue donation, meaning taking tissues (skin, corneas, tendons, bone) from brain dead as well as those whose heart has stopped, but in that case it has to be done with limited time period. A single cadaveric donor can give life to about six-nine recipients (two kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, intestine, eyes and tissues). "Due to Covid-induced lockdowns and reduced traffic on the roads, accidents with consequent head injury and brain death related organ donors have reduced. On the other hand, even the recipients are unable to travel to transplant centres due to intra and interstate travel restrictions," Mukul Rastogi, Additional Director-Hepatology, Fortis Noida, told IANS. "There is also an apprehension regarding Covid status and potential transmission from deceased donors to recipients and healthcare providers. Similarly, there is a risk of recipients, live donors and the healthcare team inadvertently transmitting Covid to each other," he added. However, the doctors suggest that it is safe to donate after two-three months of Covid recovery. A complete vaccination before the process can make it safer, protecting both the donor and the recipient from the future infection of Covid. Even if they develop Covid, it will be very mild. "After the Covid pandemic, doctors have been extra cautious in the procedures of organ donation. It is safe to donate once you recover from Covid. Post-Covid, we assess whether there is any Covid-related involvement of the organs. If any person wants to donate organs post-recovery, we evaluate them completely. In cases when lungs are needed to be donated, we ensure there are no residual problems before donation," Vishwanath said. Moreover, with the availability of accurate tests (RT -PCR and antibody) for Covid with a rapid turnaround time (4-6 hours), it is possible to determine whether transplant can be safely performed, the doctors said. In India, every year almost 3.5 lakh people need some form of organ transplant but less than 11,000 transplants are carried out. The overall organ donation rate in India is quite low at around 0.52 per million population, compared with 36.07 donors per million in the US. The Cardiology Society of India reveals that over 50,000 patients need heart transplantation in a year but less than 250 actually get one. As per the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation, of the 21,395 kidneys transplanted in India between 1971 and 2015, only 783 were from cadaveric donors. Out of more than 50,000 people who need liver transplant, only 2,000 procedures are being done, according to Indian Society of Gastroenterology. "Organ donation in India needs to pick up the pace to match the humongous gap that is existing between patients who need organs and organ availability. As critical illnesses are on the rise, harvesting organs from deceased bodies and making it accessible to the one who needs should be the priority," D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals, in Hyderabad, told IANS.

Organ donation dropped significantly due to COVID-19: Experts

Videos of Chinese officials keeping citizens inside their houses have appeared on social media as the Delta variation of COVID-19 spreads.

Multiple videos emerged on Weibo, Twitter, and YouTube showing hazmat workers slamming iron bars over people's doors to prevent them from leaving.

According to a Taiwan News report, if someone is discovered to have opened their door more than three times, the authorities will lock them inside. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwij1KjS5K3yAhUCjuYKHXStCbIQFjAAegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw30iaDUzC7Jzu4ibK9Owl3q" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450" target="_blank">COVID-19: All you need to know about&nbsp;Delta Plus&nbsp;variant</a>

As shown in a Twitter photo, people wearing full PPE gear can be seen hammering large metallic bars over a doorway in an X pattern at a house.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Chinese Communist Party is locking people inside their homes again. 
 
If someone in the building tests positive or has positive contact tracing, the whole building gets sealed for 14 to 21 days, sometimes longer. 
 
August 2021 <a href="https://t.co/LyArs7DQN6">pic.twitter.com/LyArs7DQN6</a>
— Things China Doesn't Want You To Know (@TruthAbtChina) <a href="https://twitter.com/TruthAbtChina/status/1424511477264785411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
大爷出来透一下气。<a href="https://t.co/4cQvpmn9Pt">pic.twitter.com/4cQvpmn9Pt</a>
— 习近彭 (@wakeupfrog01) <a href="https://twitter.com/wakeupfrog01/status/1424687889942679552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
小姑娘感谢来封门。 
专政铁拳，应用到防疫工作上。<a href="https://t.co/5I1s6LAnig">pic.twitter.com/5I1s6LAnig</a>
— 习近彭 (@wakeupfrog01) <a href="https://twitter.com/wakeupfrog01/status/1424669647513612302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On Monday, China reported 143 new cases, up from 125 the day before.

According to authorities, the highly transmissible delta form is mostly responsible for China's recent clusters.

The National Health Commission said that 108 of the new confirmed illnesses, the largest number since Jan. 20, were locally transmitted, up from 94 the day before, while the rest were imported.

Most local infections were in the eastern province of Jiangsu and the central province of Henan.

(With inputs from agencies)

Videos of Chinese officials keeping citizens inside their houses have appeared on social media as the Delta variation of COVID-19 spreads. Multiple videos emerged on Weibo, Twitter, and YouTube showing hazmat workers slamming iron bars over people's doors to prevent them from leaving.

Videos of Chinese officials keeping citizens inside their houses have appeared on social media as the Delta variation of COVID-19 spreads. Multiple videos emerged on Weibo, Twitter, and YouTube showing hazmat workers slamming iron bars over people's doors to prevent them from leaving. According to a Taiwan News report, if someone is discovered to have opened their door more than three times, the authorities will lock them inside. Also read | COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant As shown in a Twitter photo, people wearing full PPE gear can be seen hammering large metallic bars over a doorway in an X pattern at a house. The Chinese Communist Party is locking people inside their homes again. If someone in the building tests positive or has positive contact tracing, the whole building gets sealed for 14 to 21 days, sometimes longer. August 2021 pic.twitter.com/LyArs7DQN6 — Things China Doesn't Want You To Know (@TruthAbtChina) August 8, 2021 × 大爷出来透一下气。pic.twitter.com/4cQvpmn9Pt — 习近彭 (@wakeupfrog01) August 9, 2021 × 小姑娘感谢来封门。 专政铁拳，应用到防疫工作上。pic.twitter.com/5I1s6LAnig — 习近彭 (@wakeupfrog01) August 9, 2021 × On Monday, China reported 143 new cases, up from 125 the day before. According to authorities, the highly transmissible delta form is mostly responsible for China's recent clusters. The National Health Commission said that 108 of the new confirmed illnesses, the largest number since Jan. 20, were locally transmitted, up from 94 the day before, while the rest were imported. Most local infections were in the eastern province of Jiangsu and the central province of Henan. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | COVID-19: China locks citizens behind iron bars as Delta variant surge

Amid the pandemic, we’ve read harrowing accounts of heroic doctors and frontline workers who toiled to save the lives of COVID-19 patients, but what if your patients aren’t obedient homo&nbsp;sapiens? In this case, the patients are Alpha Predators, the kings of the jungle-Majestic Asiatic Lions.

On the occasion of World Lion Day (August 10th), veterinarians and officials from the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, commonly known as Vandalur Zoo (Chennai), recalled their experience of dealing with 15 lions that were affected by the Delta COVID-19 variant.&nbsp;

For the Zoo vets, a team of eight members, it was a case of ‘reverse spillover’ when they noticed a few lions showing COVID-19 symptoms. It meant that the SARS CoV-2 virus (that causes COVID-19), which is said to have originated from bats (in Wuhan, China) and affected humans, had now spread back to members of the animal kingdom. It was not new. Lions at the Bronx Zoo in New York, and at Indian Zoos in Etawah, Jaipur, and Hyderabad too had tested COVID-19 positive, but now trouble had hit home and hit hard.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="Asiatic Lions" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5a8246ae-a43e-48e2-8fa9-db8994178b95" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/COVId-19%20treatment%20lions5.png" />

On&nbsp;May 25, five lions in the Safari area of the zoo started showing classic symptoms-coughing, wheezing and a loss of appetite. While their test results were awaited from various labs across India, a female lion (apart from the five that showed symptoms) succumbed to the virus on June 3. The test results that arrived painted a bleak picture-10 of the 15 lions at the Zoo were positive and five were negative. Interestingly, of the 10 positive lions, eight were in the Safari area and two were in the exhibit area, apart by almost 2 kms. Zoo officials suspect that the source of infection was different from each set of lions, as no other big cats or animals nearby had tested positive.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="Asiatic Lions" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2710071c-5d23-427d-bcf1-cea41e67bf93" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/COVId-19%20treatment%20lions4.png" />

However, four lions were in critical condition and faced breathing issues and refused to feed(on meat) for 5-7 days. 
 
"We immediately started providing nebulization and high-flow oxygen, fluid therapy (intravenous fluids) and drugs. But the biggest challenge here is that their cooperation in getting treated is a very dicey affair, "the vet says half-jokingly.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="Asiatic Lions" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a902a0d-6d5e-4865-b89b-4de3e32125d4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202021-08-11%20at%205.54.40%20PM.png" />

The most common question is - how is all of this intrusive treatment done on a predator that can kill with one strike ?&nbsp;

The oxygen tubes were tied to the tail and the gathered (as used for human babies) was inserted. Sometimes, a caretaker had to sit near the cage to hold the tail in place for the treatment to proceed. Special gun darts were used for administering injections when animals refused to come close.&nbsp;

When the animals refused to eat, the caretakers experimented with a platter diet of chicken, beef, mutton, and rabbit meat and soups. While it took 2-3 weeks for the animals to slowly get back to normal, they still showed signs of sickness, such as recurring fever, cough etc. The lions had also gotten sick of being injected and monitored, which made them aggressive. Eventually, it took about 50 days for the predators to get back to their usual glory and feed as usual.&nbsp;

According to the Deputy Director of Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP), all 13 lions tested negative for COVID-19 on July 23rd. The Zoo near the Southern Indian metropolis of Chennai had housed 15 Asiatic lions, of which ten had tested COVID-19 positive. Two lions (a lion and a lioness) had also succumbed to the virus earlier.&nbsp;

WION had earlier reported that four lion samples from this zoo had tested positive for the ‘Delta variant’ of COVID-19. This was based on the genome sequencing results shared by NIHSAD Bhopal. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), this variant showed higher transmissibility and reduced neutralization (by antibodies). This variant was first said to have been detected in India in late 2020. Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 (infection) have been emerging and circulating around the world throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the mystery over how the captive big cats got infected with the deadly virus remains unsolved, experts and vets advising the Zoo suspect human-animal (man to single lion) transmission followed by animal-animal (lion to multiple lions) transmission. Based on a discussion between experts, the transmission from man-animal seems to have happened, despite animal keepers and feeders having worn PPE suits and following precautions.

Amid the pandemic, we’ve read harrowing accounts of heroic doctors and frontline workers who toiled to save the lives of COVID-19 patients, but what if your patients aren’t obedient homo sapiens?

Amid the pandemic, we’ve read harrowing accounts of heroic doctors and frontline workers who toiled to save the lives of COVID-19 patients, but what if your patients aren’t obedient homo sapiens? In this case, the patients are Alpha Predators, the kings of the jungle-Majestic Asiatic Lions. On the occasion of World Lion Day (August 10th), veterinarians and officials from the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, commonly known as Vandalur Zoo (Chennai), recalled their experience of dealing with 15 lions that were affected by the Delta COVID-19 variant. For the Zoo vets, a team of eight members, it was a case of ‘reverse spillover’ when they noticed a few lions showing COVID-19 symptoms. It meant that the SARS CoV-2 virus (that causes COVID-19), which is said to have originated from bats (in Wuhan, China) and affected humans, had now spread back to members of the animal kingdom. It was not new. Lions at the Bronx Zoo in New York, and at Indian Zoos in Etawah, Jaipur, and Hyderabad too had tested COVID-19 positive, but now trouble had hit home and hit hard. On May 25, five lions in the Safari area of the zoo started showing classic symptoms-coughing, wheezing and a loss of appetite. While their test results were awaited from various labs across India, a female lion (apart from the five that showed symptoms) succumbed to the virus on June 3. The test results that arrived painted a bleak picture-10 of the 15 lions at the Zoo were positive and five were negative. Interestingly, of the 10 positive lions, eight were in the Safari area and two were in the exhibit area, apart by almost 2 kms. Zoo officials suspect that the source of infection was different from each set of lions, as no other big cats or animals nearby had tested positive. However, four lions were in critical condition and faced breathing issues and refused to feed(on meat) for 5-7 days. "We immediately started providing nebulization and high-flow oxygen, fluid therapy (intravenous fluids) and drugs. But the biggest challenge here is that their cooperation in getting treated is a very dicey affair, "the vet says half-jokingly. The most common question is - how is all of this intrusive treatment done on a predator that can kill with one strike ? The oxygen tubes were tied to the tail and the gathered (as used for human babies) was inserted. Sometimes, a caretaker had to sit near the cage to hold the tail in place for the treatment to proceed. Special gun darts were used for administering injections when animals refused to come close. When the animals refused to eat, the caretakers experimented with a platter diet of chicken, beef, mutton, and rabbit meat and soups. While it took 2-3 weeks for the animals to slowly get back to normal, they still showed signs of sickness, such as recurring fever, cough etc. The lions had also gotten sick of being injected and monitored, which made them aggressive. Eventually, it took about 50 days for the predators to get back to their usual glory and feed as usual. According to the Deputy Director of Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP), all 13 lions tested negative for COVID-19 on July 23rd. The Zoo near the Southern Indian metropolis of Chennai had housed 15 Asiatic lions, of which ten had tested COVID-19 positive. Two lions (a lion and a lioness) had also succumbed to the virus earlier. WION had earlier reported that four lion samples from this zoo had tested positive for the ‘Delta variant’ of COVID-19. This was based on the genome sequencing results shared by NIHSAD Bhopal. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), this variant showed higher transmissibility and reduced neutralization (by antibodies). This variant was first said to have been detected in India in late 2020. Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 (infection) have been emerging and circulating around the world throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. While the mystery over how the captive big cats got infected with the deadly virus remains unsolved, experts and vets advising the Zoo suspect human-animal (man to single lion) transmission followed by animal-animal (lion to multiple lions) transmission. Based on a discussion between experts, the transmission from man-animal seems to have happened, despite animal keepers and feeders having worn PPE suits and following precautions.

How this Indian Zoo saved its lions from the clutches of Delta COVID-19 variant 

Greater numbers of American children are being swept up in a wave of coronavirus infections driven by the Delta variant, causing renewed anxiety for parents and a bitter political fight as schools prepare to reopen within weeks.&nbsp;

Much of the surge is concentrated in the southeastern state of&nbsp;Florida, where some school districts are defying an order by the Republican governor forbidding mask mandates, in the latest political twist in the health crisis.

"Parents are put into an impossible situation of having to choose between the health and life of their child and returning (to) school," said a lawsuit against the governor's order filed by parents of children with disabilities on Friday.

The majority of children who catch the coronavirus will have a mild or asymptomatic disease, and until recently they had not been a major focal point of the pandemic.

That's now changing with Delta, a variant that is as contagious as chickenpox and largely drove 72,000 pediatric cases in the week leading up to July 29, according to a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics,&nbsp;a&nbsp;figure five times higher than in late June.

Nearly 20,000 of those cases were in&nbsp;Florida, according to state data.

The Sunshine State is also experiencing the highest number of hospitalisations for minors in the country, currently 143, which is ahead of Texas.

"We definitely have seen an increase in cases here, in our emergency department and also within the rest of the hospital, in the last two or three weeks," Dr. Marcos Mestre, medical director of Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, told AFP.

Most contagious, likely more severe

Only around one percent of children diagnosed with Covid-19 will be hospitalised, said Mestre, but complications are more likely for those with diabetes or who are overweight.

While studies have confirmed Delta is the most transmissible strain to date, there is uncertainty about whether it causes more severe disease.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walensky said this week that while preliminary studies indicate it may be more serious in adults as well as children, further confirmatory research is needed.

What's so far clear is that northeastern parts of the United States that have driven down community transmission through high levels of adult vaccination are also seeing the lowest rates of pediatric infection. Children are least safe in areas of low adult vaccination.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-search-of-covid-19-origin-us-intel-agencies-scour-massive-genetic-data-from-wuhan-lab-403569\">Also read |&nbsp;In search of COVID-19 origin, US intel agencies scour massive genetic data from Wuhan lab</a>

With new cases surging to levels seen last summer, the CDC now recommends students, staff and all employees remain masked regardless of vaccination status to stem the spread of the airborne virus.

But&nbsp;Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis -- who previously signed legislation banning businesses from using vaccine passports -- is now threatening to cut funding for schools that follow scientific guidance and reimpose mask mandates.

&nbsp;Vaccines the way out

Several school districts have announced plans to defy the governor anyway, including Broward County, the second-largest in the state.

The political fight has made its way to the White House, with President Joe Biden this week telling recalcitrant state leaders, "If you're not going to help, get out of the way."

"If you're coming after the rights of parents in&nbsp;Florida, I'm standing in your way," clapped back DeSantis.

Dr. Mobeen Rathore, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist who practices in Jacksonville and backs mask use at school, said it was wrong to downplay the risks to children.

Children "do get sick, they do get hospitalised, they do get into intensive care units and they do die of Covid," he told AFP.

Like adults, children will have to be vaccinated in the long run, he added.

The United States made vaccines available to over-12s in May, but the shots are still being tested for younger children and aren't likely to be authorised until at least the end of the year.

At a vaccination event held at the FTX Arena, home of the Miami Heat,&nbsp;33-year-old Sara Medina told AFP the last year of online schooling had been "a little crazy," and she was glad the shot paved the way for her 12-year-old son Jayden to get back to the classroom.

Pediatricians strongly advocate for a safe return to in-person learning because of the social, mental health and educational benefits.&nbsp;

"Last year we had to stay home all the time, it was kind of getting boring at home," said Jayden.

"It's important to have (the mask) just in case, for all of us to be safe," he added.

Greater numbers of American children are being swept up in a wave of coronavirus infections driven by the Delta variant, causing renewed anxiety for parents and a bitter political fight as schools prepare to reopen within weeks.

Greater numbers of American children are being swept up in a wave of coronavirus infections driven by the Delta variant, causing renewed anxiety for parents and a bitter political fight as schools prepare to reopen within weeks. Much of the surge is concentrated in the southeastern state of Florida, where some school districts are defying an order by the Republican governor forbidding mask mandates, in the latest political twist in the health crisis. "Parents are put into an impossible situation of having to choose between the health and life of their child and returning (to) school," said a lawsuit against the governor's order filed by parents of children with disabilities on Friday. The majority of children who catch the coronavirus will have a mild or asymptomatic disease, and until recently they had not been a major focal point of the pandemic. That's now changing with Delta, a variant that is as contagious as chickenpox and largely drove 72,000 pediatric cases in the week leading up to July 29, according to a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, a figure five times higher than in late June. Nearly 20,000 of those cases were in Florida, according to state data. The Sunshine State is also experiencing the highest number of hospitalisations for minors in the country, currently 143, which is ahead of Texas. "We definitely have seen an increase in cases here, in our emergency department and also within the rest of the hospital, in the last two or three weeks," Dr. Marcos Mestre, medical director of Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, told AFP. Most contagious, likely more severe Only around one percent of children diagnosed with Covid-19 will be hospitalised, said Mestre, but complications are more likely for those with diabetes or who are overweight. While studies have confirmed Delta is the most transmissible strain to date, there is uncertainty about whether it causes more severe disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walensky said this week that while preliminary studies indicate it may be more serious in adults as well as children, further confirmatory research is needed. What's so far clear is that northeastern parts of the United States that have driven down community transmission through high levels of adult vaccination are also seeing the lowest rates of pediatric infection. Children are least safe in areas of low adult vaccination. Also read | In search of COVID-19 origin, US intel agencies scour massive genetic data from Wuhan lab With new cases surging to levels seen last summer, the CDC now recommends students, staff and all employees remain masked regardless of vaccination status to stem the spread of the airborne virus. But Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis -- who previously signed legislation banning businesses from using vaccine passports -- is now threatening to cut funding for schools that follow scientific guidance and reimpose mask mandates. Vaccines the way out Several school districts have announced plans to defy the governor anyway, including Broward County, the second-largest in the state. The political fight has made its way to the White House, with President Joe Biden this week telling recalcitrant state leaders, "If you're not going to help, get out of the way." "If you're coming after the rights of parents in Florida, I'm standing in your way," clapped back DeSantis. Dr. Mobeen Rathore, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist who practices in Jacksonville and backs mask use at school, said it was wrong to downplay the risks to children. Children "do get sick, they do get hospitalised, they do get into intensive care units and they do die of Covid," he told AFP. Like adults, children will have to be vaccinated in the long run, he added. The United States made vaccines available to over-12s in May, but the shots are still being tested for younger children and aren't likely to be authorised until at least the end of the year. At a vaccination event held at the FTX Arena, home of the Miami Heat, 33-year-old Sara Medina told AFP the last year of online schooling had been "a little crazy," and she was glad the shot paved the way for her 12-year-old son Jayden to get back to the classroom. Pediatricians strongly advocate for a safe return to in-person learning because of the social, mental health and educational benefits. "Last year we had to stay home all the time, it was kind of getting boring at home," said Jayden. "It's important to have (the mask) just in case, for all of us to be safe," he added.

Delta variant fuels concerns for children's health in Florida

In a recent development, it has been revealed that the Delta variant of Sars-CoV-2 indicate that the people vaccinated against coronavirus disease may transmit the highly contagious strain as easily as the unvaccinated, Public Health England said.

The findings come after concerns raised by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over people’s infectiousness amid Delta variant spread.

In a statement, PHE said, "Some initial findings ... indicate that levels of virus in those who become infected with Delta having already been vaccinated may be similar to levels found in unvaccinated people".

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 infections recorded worldwide passed 200 million on Thursday, an AFP count showed, as the pandemic surges around the world, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where the Australian city of Melbourne locked down again.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-announces-five-additions-to-global-terrorist-list-403595">Also read |&nbsp;US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list</a>

Authorities in Australia's Melbourne announced another lockdown as Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus cases.

The Delta variant has been running rampant in Southeast Asia, with Thailand recording 20,000 new daily cases for the first time on Wednesday, and again on Thursday.

The country also announced 160 deaths in 24 hours, as exhausted morgue workers struggle to cope with the mounting bodies.

"I've seen our personnel faint quite a few times lately so fatigue is definitely starting to set in and we're almost at our limits," forensic scientist Thanitchet Khetkham told AFP.

Indonesia's total Covid death toll passed 100,000 on Wednesday after it recorded 1,739 of the 10,245 fatalities registered worldwide, the global toll rising past 4.25 million.

Japan's capital Tokyo had a new record number of daily cases with 5,042, just three days before the end of the Olympics.

Africa also posted a new record with the 6,400 deaths in the week to August 1 representing the continent's most since the start of the pandemic, the World Health Organization said.&nbsp;

In a recent development, it has been revealed that the Delta variant of Sars-CoV-2 indicate that the people vaccinated against coronavirus disease may transmit the highly contagious strain as easily as the unvaccinated, Public Health England said.

In a recent development, it has been revealed that the Delta variant of Sars-CoV-2 indicate that the people vaccinated against coronavirus disease may transmit the highly contagious strain as easily as the unvaccinated, Public Health England said. The findings come after concerns raised by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over people’s infectiousness amid Delta variant spread. In a statement, PHE said, "Some initial findings ... indicate that levels of virus in those who become infected with Delta having already been vaccinated may be similar to levels found in unvaccinated people". Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 infections recorded worldwide passed 200 million on Thursday, an AFP count showed, as the pandemic surges around the world, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where the Australian city of Melbourne locked down again. Also read | US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list Authorities in Australia's Melbourne announced another lockdown as Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus cases. The Delta variant has been running rampant in Southeast Asia, with Thailand recording 20,000 new daily cases for the first time on Wednesday, and again on Thursday. The country also announced 160 deaths in 24 hours, as exhausted morgue workers struggle to cope with the mounting bodies. "I've seen our personnel faint quite a few times lately so fatigue is definitely starting to set in and we're almost at our limits," forensic scientist Thanitchet Khetkham told AFP. Indonesia's total Covid death toll passed 100,000 on Wednesday after it recorded 1,739 of the 10,245 fatalities registered worldwide, the global toll rising past 4.25 million. Japan's capital Tokyo had a new record number of daily cases with 5,042, just three days before the end of the Olympics. Africa also posted a new record with the 6,400 deaths in the week to August 1 representing the continent's most since the start of the pandemic, the World Health Organization said.

COVID-19 vaccines may not stop Delta transmission

The number of COVID-19 infections recorded worldwide passed 200 million on Thursday, an AFP count showed, as the pandemic surges around the world, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where the Australian city of Melbourne locked down again.

The number of COVID-19 infections recorded worldwide passed 200 million on Thursday, an AFP count showed, as the pandemic surges around the world, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where the Australian city of Melbourne locked down again. Authorities in Australia's Melbourne announced another lockdown as Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus coronavirus cases. Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews said there was "no alternatives to lockdown". "This thing moves so fast. There is no debate or discussion about this - the Delta variant moves at lightning speed and by the time you get the people they have already infected, all the people they live with," Victoria premier Dan Andrews said. "We can't allow that to happen otherwise we are locked down until Christmas," the Victorian premier informed. At least half of Australia will be under lockdown when Victoria enters into a lockdown later on Thursday. Meanwhile, Sydney continued to witness a surge in coronavirus cases as New South Wales recorded 262 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday which was the highest since the pandemic began along with five deaths. Officials said people in New South Wales will receive additional 180,000 Pfizer-BioNTech doses next week as the government considers relaxing restrictions on August 29 for the vaccination campaign. New South Wales has reported 4,300 cases in the last seven weeks with Sydney's southwest area becoming the epicentre of the virus as officials extended stay-at-home restrictions to neighbouring areas. The authorities urged people to be vaccinated as Newcastle and Hunter region announced a week-long lockdown. Australia has vaccinated just 20 per cent of its population even as it closed its border since the pandemic began and put mandatory travel quarantine. Also read | Australia: Melbourne enters another lockdown, Sydney reports record COVID-19 cases The Delta variant has been running rampant in Southeast Asia, with Thailand recording 20,000 new daily cases for the first time on Wednesday, and again on Thursday. The country also announced 160 deaths in 24 hours, as exhausted morgue workers struggle to cope with the mounting bodies. "I've seen our personnel faint quite a few times lately so fatigue is definitely starting to set in and we're almost at our limits," forensic scientist Thanitchet Khetkham told AFP. Indonesia's total Covid death toll passed 100,000 on Wednesday after it recorded 1,739 of the 10,245 fatalities registered worldwide, the global toll rising past 4.25 million. Japan's capital Tokyo had a new record number of daily cases with 5,042, just three days before the end of the Olympics. Africa also posted a new record with the 6,400 deaths in the week to August 1 representing the continent's most since the start of the pandemic, the World Health Organization said.

COVID-19 cases top 200 million worldwide as Delta variant poses threat

US top coronavirus adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Wednesday (local time) said that Covid-19 cases may double as variant worse than Delta could be coming.

"If America's current COVID-19 surge continues unabated into the fall and winter, the country will likely face an even more deadly strain of the virus that could evade the current coronavirus vaccines, Fauci told McClatchy, reported Axios.

His comments underscore the importance of acting quickly to vaccinate the tens of millions of Americans who have not been inoculated against the virus.

The current surge in coronavirus cases nationwide is being driven by the Delta variant, which is already more contagious than the original strain of the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-covid-comforter-to-sex-assault-accused-new-york-governor-cuomos-fall-from-grace-403032">Also read |&nbsp;From Covid comforter to sex assault accused: New York Governor Cuomo's fall from grace</a>

Recent data shows that vaccinated people who still get infected with the delta variant also have high viral loads and can spread it to others, even when they aren't showing symptoms or are experiencing mild disease. "We're now dealing with, really, a different virus," said Fauci.

As the virus continues to spread due to insufficient vaccination rates, it is being given "ample" time to mutate into a more dangerous new variant in the fall and winter, Fauci said.

"Quite frankly, we're very lucky that the vaccines that we have now do very well against the variants, particularly against severe illness," Fauci said, emphasising that this might not be the case with a new variant.

"If another one comes along that has an equally high capability of transmitting but also is much more severe, then we could really be in trouble," he said.

"People who are not getting vaccinated mistakenly think it's only about them. But it isn't. It's about everybody else, also."

Moreover, other variants are already cropping up. South Korea has reported two cases of highly transmissible delta plus variant of the coronavirus.

It is the first time that the country has reported the Delta Plus variant, considered a sublineage of the Delta variant, Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday citing the country's Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Some experts believe the Delta Plus variant could be more contagious than the Delta variant.

The Lambda variant, which originated from Peru last year, has already been detected in the US, reported Axios.

US top coronavirus adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Wednesday (local time) said that Covid-19 cases may double as variant worse than Delta could be coming. "If America's current COVID-19 surge continues unabated into the fall and winter, the country will likely face an even more deadly strain of the virus that could evade the current coronavirus vaccines, Fauci told McClatchy, reported Axios.

US top coronavirus adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Wednesday (local time) said that Covid-19 cases may double as variant worse than Delta could be coming. "If America's current COVID-19 surge continues unabated into the fall and winter, the country will likely face an even more deadly strain of the virus that could evade the current coronavirus vaccines, Fauci told McClatchy, reported Axios. His comments underscore the importance of acting quickly to vaccinate the tens of millions of Americans who have not been inoculated against the virus. The current surge in coronavirus cases nationwide is being driven by the Delta variant, which is already more contagious than the original strain of the virus. Also read | From Covid comforter to sex assault accused: New York Governor Cuomo's fall from grace Recent data shows that vaccinated people who still get infected with the delta variant also have high viral loads and can spread it to others, even when they aren't showing symptoms or are experiencing mild disease. "We're now dealing with, really, a different virus," said Fauci. As the virus continues to spread due to insufficient vaccination rates, it is being given "ample" time to mutate into a more dangerous new variant in the fall and winter, Fauci said. "Quite frankly, we're very lucky that the vaccines that we have now do very well against the variants, particularly against severe illness," Fauci said, emphasising that this might not be the case with a new variant. "If another one comes along that has an equally high capability of transmitting but also is much more severe, then we could really be in trouble," he said. "People who are not getting vaccinated mistakenly think it's only about them. But it isn't. It's about everybody else, also." Moreover, other variants are already cropping up. South Korea has reported two cases of highly transmissible delta plus variant of the coronavirus. It is the first time that the country has reported the Delta Plus variant, considered a sublineage of the Delta variant, Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday citing the country's Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Some experts believe the Delta Plus variant could be more contagious than the Delta variant. The Lambda variant, which originated from Peru last year, has already been detected in the US, reported Axios.

COVID-19 cases may double in US as variant worse than Delta could be coming, says Fauci

Governments around the&nbsp;world&nbsp;on Thursday raced to head off a surge in coronavirus cases driven by the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant, with US President Joe Biden offering new incentives to vaccine holdouts and Israel authorizing booster shots.

The&nbsp;World&nbsp;Health Organization warned the highly transmissible strain of the virus, first detected in India, could unleash a "fourth wave" of cases in its Eastern Mediterranean zone -- an area stretching from Morocco to Pakistan.

Those countries are especially at risk because vaccination rates are low -- only 5.5 percent of the region's population has been fully vaccinated. So in nations where vaccines are more available, public officials are sounding the alarm.

"People are dying -- and will die -- who don't have to die," Biden said in a speech on his administration's new initiatives aimed at curbing the spread. "If you're out there and unvaccinated, you don't have to die."

He said all federal government workers would be asked to reveal their vaccination status -- and those without the jab would have to mask in the workplace and submit to COVID-19 tests.

The Democratic president also said he would ask the Pentagon to consider making the coronavirus vaccine mandatory for active duty military personnel, and asked state and local governments to offer $100 to holdouts who get the shot.

"If incentives help us beat this virus, I believe we should use them. We all benefit if we can get more people vaccinated," Biden said.

In Israel, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that those over the age of 60 would be offered a third dose of vaccine -- a booster shot available from Sunday.

"I call on all elderly people who have already been vaccinated to receive this additional dose," Bennett said. "Protect yourselves."

"The decision was based on considerable research and analysis, as well as the rise in risk of the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant&nbsp;wave," Bennett said.

Israel quickly rolled out its vaccination campaign and had dropped many restrictions on public gatherings in June, but infections soared, and masks are once again mandatory in enclosed public places.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also urged people living in Covid hotspots -- even the vaccinated -- to mask&nbsp;up&nbsp;indoors.

The surge in cases across America has left the early vaccine adopters angry at those who have so far opted against the jab.

"It's almost like they don't care about the rest of the&nbsp;world. They're being selfish and self-centered," Alethea Reed, a 58-year-old health care administrator in Washington, told AFP.

Mixed bag of measures

The global coronavirus situation is a mixed one: while some places like the French territory of La Reunion and Spain's Catalonia region are instituting new curbs, others are easing&nbsp;up&nbsp;on restrictions.

Portugal said it would lift its&nbsp;anti-virus&nbsp;measures in several phases from Sunday, with shops and restaurants allowed to open for longer hours and working from home no longer compulsory.

But at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, already delayed by a year due to the pandemic, the virus continued to wreak havoc, with nearly 200 infections among the athletes, media and employees taking part in the Games.

Among them were US pole vault hopeful Sam Kendricks, a two-time&nbsp;world&nbsp;champion, and two high-profile golfers:&nbsp;world&nbsp;number one Jon Rahm and 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau.

Japan hit a new record for the number of daily cases -- more than 10,000 -- on Thursday, and a state of emergency already in place in Tokyo was to be extended to four more regions.

"The current situation is the worst ever," a top government advisor on the virus, Shigeru Omi, warned, according to national broadcaster NHK.

In Mexico, the national statistics institute said more than 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus were recorded in 2020 -- 35 percent more than originally reported by the government

And in China, where the novel coronavirus first emerged in the city of Wuhan, small outbreaks driven by the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant&nbsp;were reported in three provinces.&nbsp;

China is racing to vaccinate at least 65 percent of its 1.4-billion population by the end of the year.

So far, the virus has killed more than 4.1 million people around the&nbsp;world, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources. The United States has the highest death toll, at more than 612,000.

Governments around the world on Thursday raced to head off a surge in coronavirus cases driven by the Delta variant, with US President Joe Biden offering new incentives to vaccine holdouts and Israel authorizing booster shots.

Governments around the world on Thursday raced to head off a surge in coronavirus cases driven by the Delta variant, with US President Joe Biden offering new incentives to vaccine holdouts and Israel authorizing booster shots. The World Health Organization warned the highly transmissible strain of the virus, first detected in India, could unleash a "fourth wave" of cases in its Eastern Mediterranean zone -- an area stretching from Morocco to Pakistan. Those countries are especially at risk because vaccination rates are low -- only 5.5 percent of the region's population has been fully vaccinated. So in nations where vaccines are more available, public officials are sounding the alarm. "People are dying -- and will die -- who don't have to die," Biden said in a speech on his administration's new initiatives aimed at curbing the spread. "If you're out there and unvaccinated, you don't have to die." He said all federal government workers would be asked to reveal their vaccination status -- and those without the jab would have to mask in the workplace and submit to COVID-19 tests. The Democratic president also said he would ask the Pentagon to consider making the coronavirus vaccine mandatory for active duty military personnel, and asked state and local governments to offer $100 to holdouts who get the shot. "If incentives help us beat this virus, I believe we should use them. We all benefit if we can get more people vaccinated," Biden said. In Israel, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced that those over the age of 60 would be offered a third dose of vaccine -- a booster shot available from Sunday. "I call on all elderly people who have already been vaccinated to receive this additional dose," Bennett said. "Protect yourselves." "The decision was based on considerable research and analysis, as well as the rise in risk of the Delta variant wave," Bennett said. Israel quickly rolled out its vaccination campaign and had dropped many restrictions on public gatherings in June, but infections soared, and masks are once again mandatory in enclosed public places. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also urged people living in Covid hotspots -- even the vaccinated -- to mask up indoors. The surge in cases across America has left the early vaccine adopters angry at those who have so far opted against the jab. "It's almost like they don't care about the rest of the world. They're being selfish and self-centered," Alethea Reed, a 58-year-old health care administrator in Washington, told AFP. Mixed bag of measures The global coronavirus situation is a mixed one: while some places like the French territory of La Reunion and Spain's Catalonia region are instituting new curbs, others are easing up on restrictions. Portugal said it would lift its anti-virus measures in several phases from Sunday, with shops and restaurants allowed to open for longer hours and working from home no longer compulsory. But at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, already delayed by a year due to the pandemic, the virus continued to wreak havoc, with nearly 200 infections among the athletes, media and employees taking part in the Games. Among them were US pole vault hopeful Sam Kendricks, a two-time world champion, and two high-profile golfers: world number one Jon Rahm and 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau. Japan hit a new record for the number of daily cases -- more than 10,000 -- on Thursday, and a state of emergency already in place in Tokyo was to be extended to four more regions. "The current situation is the worst ever," a top government advisor on the virus, Shigeru Omi, warned, according to national broadcaster NHK. In Mexico, the national statistics institute said more than 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus were recorded in 2020 -- 35 percent more than originally reported by the government And in China, where the novel coronavirus first emerged in the city of Wuhan, small outbreaks driven by the Delta variant were reported in three provinces. China is racing to vaccinate at least 65 percent of its 1.4-billion population by the end of the year. So far, the virus has killed more than 4.1 million people around the world, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources. The United States has the highest death toll, at more than 612,000.

World races to contain Delta variant, US steps up anti-virus plan

China on Thursday reported small coronavirus outbreaks due to the Delta variant in three provinces. This comes as a cluster linked to an eastern airport spreads even after mass testing and a vaccination drive.

It began after nine workers at the Nanjing airport tested positive on July 20. After that, 171 cases have been detected in Jiangsu province, while infections have spread to at least four other provinces.

It is geographically the largest spread for several months.

Officials in Jiangsu have locked down hundreds of thousands of residents, Lu Jing, a member of the epidemic prevention taskforce, told reporters Thursday. He said, "Internet cafes, gyms, cinemas and karaoke bars and even libraries in Nanjing have been shut down".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-wuhan-lab-leak-study-china-opposes-virus-origins-probe-399644">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19: Wuhan lab leak study — China opposes virus origins probe</a>

The southwestern province of Sichuan reported three new cases Thursday while Beijing reported two locally transmitted infections, the first in six months.

Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the city's centre for disease control said, "It is currently the summer vacation, a peak period of tourism, travel and gatherings... There should be no slack in prevention and control of the epidemic".

Meanwhile, China is blocking the World Health Organization's call for a new investigation into the origins of the coronavirus, which includes looking into whether it leaked from a lab, claiming that there is no proof for the theory and that it violates common sense.&nbsp;

China warned that a WHO plan to inspect Chinese labs as part of a larger investigation into the origins of the coronavirus outbreak demonstrates "disrespect" and "arrogance toward science."

China on Thursday reported small coronavirus outbreaks due to the Delta variant in three provinces. This comes as a cluster linked to an eastern airport spreads even after mass testing and a vaccination drive.

China on Thursday reported small coronavirus outbreaks due to the Delta variant in three provinces. This comes as a cluster linked to an eastern airport spreads even after mass testing and a vaccination drive. It began after nine workers at the Nanjing airport tested positive on July 20. After that, 171 cases have been detected in Jiangsu province, while infections have spread to at least four other provinces. It is geographically the largest spread for several months. Officials in Jiangsu have locked down hundreds of thousands of residents, Lu Jing, a member of the epidemic prevention taskforce, told reporters Thursday. He said, "Internet cafes, gyms, cinemas and karaoke bars and even libraries in Nanjing have been shut down". Also read | COVID-19: Wuhan lab leak study — China opposes virus origins probe The southwestern province of Sichuan reported three new cases Thursday while Beijing reported two locally transmitted infections, the first in six months. Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the city's centre for disease control said, "It is currently the summer vacation, a peak period of tourism, travel and gatherings... There should be no slack in prevention and control of the epidemic". Meanwhile, China is blocking the World Health Organization's call for a new investigation into the origins of the coronavirus, which includes looking into whether it leaked from a lab, claiming that there is no proof for the theory and that it violates common sense. China warned that a WHO plan to inspect Chinese labs as part of a larger investigation into the origins of the coronavirus outbreak demonstrates "disrespect" and "arrogance toward science."

Delta variant now in three Chinese provinces

Due to worries about the rising infection rate caused by the delta variant, the United States issued a notification on Monday that it will keep existing COVID-19 limitations on international travel in place for the time being.

It was the latest indication that the White House is having to rethink its approach to the coronavirus pandemic as the more contagious version spreads across the country.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | World Business Watch: American and Southwest airlines lifted by travel rebound

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/world-business-watch-american-and-southwest-airlines-lifted-by-travel-rebound-399969/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the restrictions would continue for now.

"Driven by the delta variant, cases are rising here at home, particularly among those who are unvaccinated, and appears likely to continue in the weeks ahead," she said.

The rising cases also are causing the administration to take a closer look at policies on wearing masks.

The Department of Veterans Affairs became the first major federal agency to require COVID-19 vaccines for its healthcare workers on Monday.

Over the weekend, US health officials said they're considering modifying the federal government's mask-wearing requirements.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Due to worries about the rising infection rate caused by the delta variant, the United States issued a notification on Monday that it will keep existing COVID-19 limitations on international travel in place for the time being.

Due to worries about the rising infection rate caused by the delta variant, the United States issued a notification on Monday that it will keep existing COVID-19 limitations on international travel in place for the time being. It was the latest indication that the White House is having to rethink its approach to the coronavirus pandemic as the more contagious version spreads across the country. Watch | World Business Watch: American and Southwest airlines lifted by travel rebound White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the restrictions would continue for now. "Driven by the delta variant, cases are rising here at home, particularly among those who are unvaccinated, and appears likely to continue in the weeks ahead," she said. The rising cases also are causing the administration to take a closer look at policies on wearing masks. The Department of Veterans Affairs became the first major federal agency to require COVID-19 vaccines for its healthcare workers on Monday. Over the weekend, US health officials said they're considering modifying the federal government's mask-wearing requirements. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: US to keep travel restrictions in place due to concerns about Delta variant

The&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;will ban&nbsp;travellers coming&nbsp;from&nbsp;Malaysia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Thailand, as well as tighten restrictions in the Manila area, in a bid to prevent the&nbsp;spread&nbsp;of the contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, the presidential spokesperson said on Friday.

The&nbsp;travel&nbsp;restriction will take effect&nbsp;from&nbsp;Sunday and run to the end of July, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a national address.

"This action is undertaken to prevent the further&nbsp;spread&nbsp;and community transmission of COVID-19 variants in the&nbsp;Philippines," Roque said.

The&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;has previously banned&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;from&nbsp;eight countries including Indonesia and India.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-china-tussle-continues-in-south-china-sea-399171">Also read |&nbsp;Philippines-China tussle continues&nbsp;in South China Sea&nbsp;</a>

To try and prevent further domestic transmission of the Delta variant, President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the capital region, an urban sprawl of 16 cities that is home to more than 13 million people, and four provinces under stricter coronavirus&nbsp;curbs until the end of July.

Indoor sports and conference venues, indoor tourist attractions and gyms are not allowed to do business, while the operating capacity of indoor and al fresco dining has been cut.

In addition, children between the ages of five and 17 will not be allowed to leave their homes.

The&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;has recorded 47 cases of the Delta variant, eight of which are active, and three deaths.

With more than 1.53 million infections and nearly 27,000 deaths, the&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;has the second-highest number of coronavirus cases and casualties in Southeast Asia, next to Indonesia.

The Philippines will ban travellers coming from Malaysia and Thailand, as well as tighten restrictions in the Manila area, in a bid to prevent the spread of the contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, the presidential spokesperson said on Friday.

The Philippines will ban travellers coming from Malaysia and Thailand, as well as tighten restrictions in the Manila area, in a bid to prevent the spread of the contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, the presidential spokesperson said on Friday. The travel restriction will take effect from Sunday and run to the end of July, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a national address. "This action is undertaken to prevent the further spread and community transmission of COVID-19 variants in the Philippines," Roque said. The Philippines has previously banned travellers from eight countries including Indonesia and India. Also read | Philippines-China tussle continues in South China Sea To try and prevent further domestic transmission of the Delta variant, President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the capital region, an urban sprawl of 16 cities that is home to more than 13 million people, and four provinces under stricter coronavirus curbs until the end of July. Indoor sports and conference venues, indoor tourist attractions and gyms are not allowed to do business, while the operating capacity of indoor and al fresco dining has been cut. In addition, children between the ages of five and 17 will not be allowed to leave their homes. The Philippines has recorded 47 cases of the Delta variant, eight of which are active, and three deaths. With more than 1.53 million infections and nearly 27,000 deaths, the Philippines has the second-highest number of coronavirus cases and casualties in Southeast Asia, next to Indonesia.

Philippines to bar travel from Malaysia, Thailand to curb Delta's spread

The daily pace of COVID-19 vaccinations has increased in about a dozen countries due to the arrival of the more contagious Delta variant and governments expanding their vaccination drives, a data analysis by Reuters found.

Israel's rate of vaccinations has seen a sharp pickup. The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia, Singapore and Spain are all vaccinating at their fastest speed to date. Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden are not far behind.

But it is a different story in the United States. At its current, declining pace, 70% of the US&nbsp;population will not receive the first dose of vaccine until Dec. 1, according to the Reuters analysis of Our World in Data vaccination figures.

At the current pace, Canada, Chile, the United Kingdom, and eight others will reach that benchmark before the end of the month. And if the current pace is maintained, five more countries will hit 70% by the end of August. Those dates could change depending on many factors, including approvals to vaccinate younger children.

VACCINATION BURNOUT?

In Israel, the vaccination rate had plateaued in April as new COVID-19 infections were on a months-long steady decline. But when the arrival of Delta brought a spike of cases in June, the government jumped in quickly with a new campaign urging teenagers to get the shot and parents to vaccinate their children aged 12 to 15.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-proposes-second-phase-of-studies-into-the-origins-of-covid-19-in-china-398556">Also read |&nbsp;WHO proposes second phase of studies into the origins of COVID-19 in China</a>

In many countries, vaccination drives slowed before reaching 70% or more of the population - a threshold some experts say could help largely curb COVID-19 transmission through so-called herd immunity, when combined with people who developed immunity following infection.&nbsp;

The ability of the coronavirus to mutate quickly into new variants, such as Delta, that reduce the effectiveness of vaccines has cast doubt on whether herd immunity can be achieved. However, various governments have still set national vaccination goals close to that number to encourage citizens to get inoculated. The European Union, for instance, has distributed enough vaccines for 70% of its population.

In some places, regulators have just recently authorized use of the shots in 12 to 15-year-olds; in others, supply is catching up with demand.

Many of those countries had initially focused on giving shots to older populations and other high-risk groups. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been authorized by the US&nbsp;and European Union for people aged 12 and over, but others such as AstraZeneca are only available to adults.

With the spread of the Delta variant, countries are trying to reignite their campaigns by overcoming skepticism about the vaccine and misconceptions that the young do not need a shot.

Heidi Larson, director of the international Vaccine Confidence Project and a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said a rise in vaccinations due to Delta variant concerns may have been held back by changes seen as signaling an end to the pandemic, such as lifting mask mandates and travel bans.

"We're giving a lot of mixed messages right now," Larson said. Israel is an exception, she said. It has reimposed measures such as requiring mask use indoors.

While a decline in vaccination rates is to be expected, it has created pockets where groups including children, the elderly and homeless remain at risk, experts say.

"A deceleration of vaccination in itself is a logical phenomenon," said Vincent Marechal, a senior virologist with France's Sorbonne University. But slowing down too early opens the door to the virus spreading - mostly among children - and evolving to become more dangerous for them.

THE YOUNG DRIVE GAINS

Portugal, where the Delta variant accounts for more than 90% of cases, has the highest number of new cases in the European Union since mid-June. It has also doubled its pace of vaccinations from a low of around 60,000 inoculations per day, in part by including 18 to 29-year-olds.

In Singapore, the rate of vaccinations has recently gone up after opening its vaccination program to people aged 12 to 39 years old. It also hastened the delivery of vaccine supplies to help it accelerate the rollout.

In Britain, where 87% of adults have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the government stepped up its target to have all adults vaccinated by July 19, when its COVID-19 restrictions are slated to be lifted. It has begun giving second shots sooner as well to fight the Delta variant.

NO MAGICAL SOLUTION

In France, where 53.3% of the adult population has received one dose of a vaccine and 41.3% two doses or a single-dose shot, authorities are ramping up outreach to those who have not made vaccination appointments.

"We are indeed hitting a glass ceiling and trying to come up every day with ideas, and the good news is we are seeing a very recent pick up in bookings," a source close to the health ministry said last week.

The source added the government was still hoping to see 40 million adults receive the first dose by the end of August versus 35.9 million as of July 12.

France is about to open temporary vaccination centers at cultural venues across the country such as in Avignon, home to a world-famous theatre festival, and vaccination buses will tour the Bordeaux wine region of Gironde to catch seasonal workers.

COVID-19 jabs will be mandatory for France's health workers and anyone wanting to get into a cinema or board a train will soon need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test under new rules announced by President Emmanuel Macron on Monday.

In the United States, where young people have been eligible since April, vaccinations are stagnant. The Biden administration missed its goal of 70% of adults have had at least one COVID-19 shot by July 4 and has struggled to reach 50% fully vaccinated even as it has warned of outbreaks due to the Delta variant.

Younger people have lagged older ones in seeking vaccines while shots among Black and Hispanic Americans have trailed those of Asian and white Americans, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Whether governments throw in incentives or coercive measures, there is no magical solution," said Martin Blachier, an epidemiologist with Paris-based healthcare data analysis firm Public Health Expertise. "Some will just not get the vaccine."

The daily pace of COVID-19 vaccinations has increased in about a dozen countries due to the arrival of the more contagious Delta variant and governments expanding their vaccination drives, a data analysis by Reuters found.

The daily pace of COVID-19 vaccinations has increased in about a dozen countries due to the arrival of the more contagious Delta variant and governments expanding their vaccination drives, a data analysis by Reuters found. Israel's rate of vaccinations has seen a sharp pickup. The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Spain are all vaccinating at their fastest speed to date. Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden are not far behind. But it is a different story in the United States. At its current, declining pace, 70% of the US population will not receive the first dose of vaccine until Dec. 1, according to the Reuters analysis of Our World in Data vaccination figures. At the current pace, Canada, Chile, the United Kingdom, and eight others will reach that benchmark before the end of the month. And if the current pace is maintained, five more countries will hit 70% by the end of August. Those dates could change depending on many factors, including approvals to vaccinate younger children. VACCINATION BURNOUT? In Israel, the vaccination rate had plateaued in April as new COVID-19 infections were on a months-long steady decline. But when the arrival of Delta brought a spike of cases in June, the government jumped in quickly with a new campaign urging teenagers to get the shot and parents to vaccinate their children aged 12 to 15. Also read | WHO proposes second phase of studies into the origins of COVID-19 in China In many countries, vaccination drives slowed before reaching 70% or more of the population - a threshold some experts say could help largely curb COVID-19 transmission through so-called herd immunity, when combined with people who developed immunity following infection. The ability of the coronavirus to mutate quickly into new variants, such as Delta, that reduce the effectiveness of vaccines has cast doubt on whether herd immunity can be achieved. However, various governments have still set national vaccination goals close to that number to encourage citizens to get inoculated. The European Union, for instance, has distributed enough vaccines for 70% of its population. In some places, regulators have just recently authorized use of the shots in 12 to 15-year-olds; in others, supply is catching up with demand. Many of those countries had initially focused on giving shots to older populations and other high-risk groups. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been authorized by the US and European Union for people aged 12 and over, but others such as AstraZeneca are only available to adults. With the spread of the Delta variant, countries are trying to reignite their campaigns by overcoming skepticism about the vaccine and misconceptions that the young do not need a shot. Heidi Larson, director of the international Vaccine Confidence Project and a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said a rise in vaccinations due to Delta variant concerns may have been held back by changes seen as signaling an end to the pandemic, such as lifting mask mandates and travel bans. "We're giving a lot of mixed messages right now," Larson said. Israel is an exception, she said. It has reimposed measures such as requiring mask use indoors. While a decline in vaccination rates is to be expected, it has created pockets where groups including children, the elderly and homeless remain at risk, experts say. "A deceleration of vaccination in itself is a logical phenomenon," said Vincent Marechal, a senior virologist with France's Sorbonne University. But slowing down too early opens the door to the virus spreading - mostly among children - and evolving to become more dangerous for them. THE YOUNG DRIVE GAINS Portugal, where the Delta variant accounts for more than 90% of cases, has the highest number of new cases in the European Union since mid-June. It has also doubled its pace of vaccinations from a low of around 60,000 inoculations per day, in part by including 18 to 29-year-olds. In Singapore, the rate of vaccinations has recently gone up after opening its vaccination program to people aged 12 to 39 years old. It also hastened the delivery of vaccine supplies to help it accelerate the rollout. In Britain, where 87% of adults have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the government stepped up its target to have all adults vaccinated by July 19, when its COVID-19 restrictions are slated to be lifted. It has begun giving second shots sooner as well to fight the Delta variant. NO MAGICAL SOLUTION In France, where 53.3% of the adult population has received one dose of a vaccine and 41.3% two doses or a single-dose shot, authorities are ramping up outreach to those who have not made vaccination appointments. "We are indeed hitting a glass ceiling and trying to come up every day with ideas, and the good news is we are seeing a very recent pick up in bookings," a source close to the health ministry said last week. The source added the government was still hoping to see 40 million adults receive the first dose by the end of August versus 35.9 million as of July 12. France is about to open temporary vaccination centers at cultural venues across the country such as in Avignon, home to a world-famous theatre festival, and vaccination buses will tour the Bordeaux wine region of Gironde to catch seasonal workers. COVID-19 jabs will be mandatory for France's health workers and anyone wanting to get into a cinema or board a train will soon need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test under new rules announced by President Emmanuel Macron on Monday. In the United States, where young people have been eligible since April, vaccinations are stagnant. The Biden administration missed its goal of 70% of adults have had at least one COVID-19 shot by July 4 and has struggled to reach 50% fully vaccinated even as it has warned of outbreaks due to the Delta variant. Younger people have lagged older ones in seeking vaccines while shots among Black and Hispanic Americans have trailed those of Asian and white Americans, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Whether governments throw in incentives or coercive measures, there is no magical solution," said Martin Blachier, an epidemiologist with Paris-based healthcare data analysis firm Public Health Expertise. "Some will just not get the vaccine."

After vaccination burnout, Delta variant spurs countries to speed up shots

Countries all across the globe have hit new pandemic highs and reimposed COVID-19 restrictions after the G20 finance ministers warned that the economic recovery was threatened by variants and uneven vaccination campaigns.

The highly transmissible Delta variant, which was first detected in India, is sweeping the world.

The deadly coronavirus broke out in the last months of 2019 and took over the world in the early months of 2020, sending almost every country around the globe in a complete lockdown. As the countries stopped functioning, economies took a huge hit and people struggled to maintain physical and mental wellbeing.

However, as 2021 began, people started to gain some hope, especially due to the commencement of vaccine drives all around the globe. Unfortunately, that ray of hope disappeared soon as new variants of COVID-19 started popping out in different cities of the world.

Delta Plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new mutant strain of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, and has emerged as a new threat, especially in India. While the Delta variant, which was first detected by scientists in India, became a problem for the whole world, Delta Plus is currently limited to smaller areas in the country and is still under investigation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant</a>

"The recovery is characterised by great divergences across and within countries and remains exposed to downside risks, in particular the spread of new variants of the Covid-19 virus and different paces of vaccination," the G20 finance ministers said in a final statement.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, "By tomorrow, some 500 million doses will have been distributed to all regions of Europe".

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the proportion of adults aged 18 years or over fully vaccinated in the EU and European Economic Area is still only 44.1 per cent.

Meanwhile, London police warned England football fans to not to gather in large numbers in the British capital for Euro 2020 final at Wembley. The police added that they would enforce "proportionately and as appropriate" nationwide virus restrictions not set to be lifted until July 19.&nbsp;

Countries all across the globe have hit new pandemic highs and reimposed COVID-19 restrictions after the G20 finance ministers warned that the economic recovery was threatened by variants and uneven vaccination campaigns.

Countries all across the globe have hit new pandemic highs and reimposed COVID-19 restrictions after the G20 finance ministers warned that the economic recovery was threatened by variants and uneven vaccination campaigns. The highly transmissible Delta variant, which was first detected in India, is sweeping the world. The deadly coronavirus broke out in the last months of 2019 and took over the world in the early months of 2020, sending almost every country around the globe in a complete lockdown. As the countries stopped functioning, economies took a huge hit and people struggled to maintain physical and mental wellbeing. However, as 2021 began, people started to gain some hope, especially due to the commencement of vaccine drives all around the globe. Unfortunately, that ray of hope disappeared soon as new variants of COVID-19 started popping out in different cities of the world. Delta Plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new mutant strain of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, and has emerged as a new threat, especially in India. While the Delta variant, which was first detected by scientists in India, became a problem for the whole world, Delta Plus is currently limited to smaller areas in the country and is still under investigation. Also read | COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant "The recovery is characterised by great divergences across and within countries and remains exposed to downside risks, in particular the spread of new variants of the Covid-19 virus and different paces of vaccination," the G20 finance ministers said in a final statement. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, "By tomorrow, some 500 million doses will have been distributed to all regions of Europe". According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the proportion of adults aged 18 years or over fully vaccinated in the EU and European Economic Area is still only 44.1 per cent. Meanwhile, London police warned England football fans to not to gather in large numbers in the British capital for Euro 2020 final at Wembley. The police added that they would enforce "proportionately and as appropriate" nationwide virus restrictions not set to be lifted until July 19.

Delta variant hampers the return to post COVID-19 normality

France warned its nationals on Thursday not to travel to Spain or Portugal on holiday. The warning has been given in view of a spike in Covid cases caused by Delta variant. The variant is highly contagious.

Right now, France allows people to travel to all other European Union member states if they are fully vaccinated or presently negative PCR or antigen test on their return.

But Europe Minister Clement Beaune pointedly advised the French against crossing the Pyrenees mountains to Spain or Portugal.

"For those who have not yet booked their holidays, avoid Spain and Portugal as a destination," he told France 2 television. "It's better to remain in France or go to other countries."

Beaune added that France, which fears being hit by a fourth wave of coronavirus infections this summer, was weighing restrictions on travel in Europe over the spread of the highly infectious Delta mutation.

"We have to be careful... the pandemic is not over," he said. "We will decide in the coming days, but we could put in place reinforced measures."

Germany has already put a ban on travellers from Portugal. Delta variant has become dominant in Portugal

Portugal's Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva acknowledged that the health situation in his country had "worsened" and said France's concerns were "understandable."

(With inputs from agencies)

France warned its nationals on Thursday not to travel to Spain or Portugal on holiday. The warning has been given in view of a spike in Covid cases caused by Delta variant.

France warned its nationals on Thursday not to travel to Spain or Portugal on holiday. The warning has been given in view of a spike in Covid cases caused by Delta variant. The variant is highly contagious. Right now, France allows people to travel to all other European Union member states if they are fully vaccinated or presently negative PCR or antigen test on their return. But Europe Minister Clement Beaune pointedly advised the French against crossing the Pyrenees mountains to Spain or Portugal. "For those who have not yet booked their holidays, avoid Spain and Portugal as a destination," he told France 2 television. "It's better to remain in France or go to other countries." Beaune added that France, which fears being hit by a fourth wave of coronavirus infections this summer, was weighing restrictions on travel in Europe over the spread of the highly infectious Delta mutation. "We have to be careful... the pandemic is not over," he said. "We will decide in the coming days, but we could put in place reinforced measures." Germany has already put a ban on travellers from Portugal. Delta variant has become dominant in Portugal Portugal's Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva acknowledged that the health situation in his country had "worsened" and said France's concerns were "understandable." (With inputs from agencies)

Delta variant: France warns citizens against travel to Spain, Portugal

The Delta variant of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> will have a greater effect on the young people of Australia, epidemiologists have warned after recent research.

This warning has come after the country reported an increase in hospitalisations of people under the age of 55 during Sydney’s current outbreak. Currently, there are 37 people admitted to hospitals due to Covid. Out of these 37, 14 patients are under the age of 55, of which eight have not even yet turned 35, New South Wales chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-at-a-perilous-point-covid-19-death-toll-crosses-4-million-worldwide-396576" hreflang="en">'World at a perilous point': COVID-19 death toll crosses 4 million worldwide</a>

Labelling this as a 'wake-up call', Chant said young people should now "dispel the myth this is something that only impacts on the elderly".

She also urged people to not take the Delta variant lightly and explained that "the Delta strain is not a mild disease. It can be mild in some but, for many, it can lead to hospitalisation and death."

Another expert, Prof Cassandra Berry, a researcher of viral immunology at Murdoch University, said that considering the Delta mutations are more transmissible, there is a huge chance that the younger population will be more at risk now.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJjbDFqdHxAhUpyjgGHaN5B2kQFjAAegQICRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3nC3vt3LUEYagYy1ituNHV" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450" target="_blank">COVID-19: All you need to know about&nbsp;Delta Plus&nbsp;variant</a>

Berry explained that some of the biological defences that protected the young people from the deadly coronavirus till now, might be becoming less effective now in the newer strains of the variants.

The older variants were being blocked by young people's immune systems. However, the newer mutations of the variants are able to evade the early responses as it binds better to younger people's cell receptors.

"This form of virus also has a counterattack measure, it is using stealth to hide away and can block our very early innate responses. These are rapid immune responses that normally kick in within 15 minutes and are more effective in young people, but this mutation appears to be evading that early response," Berry explained. "It's able to replicate at a higher level earlier on in young people."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cdc-says-delta-variant-dominant-in-us-makes-up-more-than-half-of-covid-19-cases-396567" hreflang="en">CDC says Delta variant dominant in US, makes up more than half of COVID-19 cases</a>

Medical experts have raised this problem with the aim of explaining to the government and locals that it is high time the younger population of the country is also vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus. Till now, approximately 70 per cent of the population of people over the age of 70 has been vaccinated.

"This is a sign that it’s time to progress the discussion in Australia around vaccinating younger Australians and children," Berry said. "It's the younger people in Australia that are now proportionately unprotected."

The Delta variant of coronavirus will have a greater effect on the young people of Australia, epidemiologists have warned after recent research. This warning has come after the country reported an increase in hospitalisations of people under the age of 55 during Sydney’s current outbreak.

The Delta variant of coronavirus will have a greater effect on the young people of Australia, epidemiologists have warned after recent research. This warning has come after the country reported an increase in hospitalisations of people under the age of 55 during Sydney’s current outbreak. Currently, there are 37 people admitted to hospitals due to Covid. Out of these 37, 14 patients are under the age of 55, of which eight have not even yet turned 35, New South Wales chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant reported. Also read | 'World at a perilous point': COVID-19 death toll crosses 4 million worldwide Labelling this as a 'wake-up call', Chant said young people should now "dispel the myth this is something that only impacts on the elderly". She also urged people to not take the Delta variant lightly and explained that "the Delta strain is not a mild disease. It can be mild in some but, for many, it can lead to hospitalisation and death." Another expert, Prof Cassandra Berry, a researcher of viral immunology at Murdoch University, said that considering the Delta mutations are more transmissible, there is a huge chance that the younger population will be more at risk now. Also read | COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant Berry explained that some of the biological defences that protected the young people from the deadly coronavirus till now, might be becoming less effective now in the newer strains of the variants. The older variants were being blocked by young people's immune systems. However, the newer mutations of the variants are able to evade the early responses as it binds better to younger people's cell receptors. "This form of virus also has a counterattack measure, it is using stealth to hide away and can block our very early innate responses. These are rapid immune responses that normally kick in within 15 minutes and are more effective in young people, but this mutation appears to be evading that early response," Berry explained. "It's able to replicate at a higher level earlier on in young people." Also read | CDC says Delta variant dominant in US, makes up more than half of COVID-19 cases Medical experts have raised this problem with the aim of explaining to the government and locals that it is high time the younger population of the country is also vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus. Till now, approximately 70 per cent of the population of people over the age of 70 has been vaccinated. "This is a sign that it’s time to progress the discussion in Australia around vaccinating younger Australians and children," Berry said. "It's the younger people in Australia that are now proportionately unprotected."

Young people more vulnerable to Delta mutations of Covid, experts warn

Scientists are concerned that a highly contagious new COVID-19 strain devastating Peru might be immune to vaccinations.&nbsp;

The C.37 strain, known as the Lambda variant, was first found in Peru in December 2020, accounting for fewer than 1% of all new cases.

According to a study published in the Financial Times, it currently accounts for approximately 80% of new infections in Peru and has spread to about 27 nations in the last month.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lambda-new-variant-of-covid-19-that-is-affecting-29-countries-392308">Also read | Lambda: New variant of COVID-19 that is affecting 29 countries</a> 
 
A study at the University of Chile, Santiago, looked into the effect of Lambda on workers who had received two doses of China's CoronaVac Vaccine. 
 
Watch | Coronavirus Origin: Do museum bat collections hold the clue

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-origin-do-museum-bat-collections-hold-the-clue-395790/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Results suggest Lambda is more infectious than Gamma and Alpha and is better able to escape the antibodies produced by vaccines.

According to the World Health Organization, the strain contains a variety of changes that could have resulted in greater transmissibility or resistance to neutralising antibodies.&nbsp;

The spike protein used by Lambda to infect human cells has a unique pattern of seven mutations.&nbsp;

According to the data, about 10% of those who are infected die, with a death rate of nearly 600 for every 100,000 citizens, almost double that of the next country, Hungary.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists are concerned that a highly contagious new COVID-19 strain devastating Peru might be immune to vaccinations. The C.37 strain, known as the Lambda variant, was first found in Peru in December 2020, accounting for fewer than 1% of all new cases.

Scientists are concerned that a highly contagious new COVID-19 strain devastating Peru might be immune to vaccinations. The C.37 strain, known as the Lambda variant, was first found in Peru in December 2020, accounting for fewer than 1% of all new cases. According to a study published in the Financial Times, it currently accounts for approximately 80% of new infections in Peru and has spread to about 27 nations in the last month. Also read | Lambda: New variant of COVID-19 that is affecting 29 countries A study at the University of Chile, Santiago, looked into the effect of Lambda on workers who had received two doses of China's CoronaVac Vaccine. Watch | Coronavirus Origin: Do museum bat collections hold the clue Results suggest Lambda is more infectious than Gamma and Alpha and is better able to escape the antibodies produced by vaccines. According to the World Health Organization, the strain contains a variety of changes that could have resulted in greater transmissibility or resistance to neutralising antibodies. The spike protein used by Lambda to infect human cells has a unique pattern of seven mutations. According to the data, about 10% of those who are infected die, with a death rate of nearly 600 for every 100,000 citizens, almost double that of the next country, Hungary. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: Lambda variant may be more resistant to vaccines than other strains

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization has recently warned that the rich nations are sharing vaccines with low-income countries too slowly to prevent the spread of the Delta variant of Covid, putting at risks millions of lives.&nbsp;

Tedros said that world leaders must ensure that at least 10 per cent of people in all countries should be vaccinated by the end of September.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Media briefing on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/DrTedros?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrTedros</a> <a href="https://t.co/OBWl31s1It">https://t.co/OBWl31s1It</a>
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1410939796516597761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Speaking about the Delta variant, he said, "The Delta variant is dangerous and is continuing to evolve and mutate, which requires constant evaluation and careful adjustment of the public health response". He further added, “Delta has been detected in at least 98 countries, and is spreading quickly in countries with low and high vaccination coverage. The world must equitably share protective gear, oxygen, tests, treatments and vaccines".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant</a>

He said, "Public health &amp; social measures like strong surveillance, strategic testing, early case detection, isolation &amp; clinical care remain critical. As well as masking, physical distance, avoiding crowded places &amp; keeping indoor areas well ventilated".

Delta Plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new mutant strain of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, and has emerged as a new threat, especially in India. While the Delta variant, which was first detected by scientists in India, became a problem for the whole world, Delta Plus is currently limited to smaller areas in the country and is still under investigation.

Experts believe Delta Plus has increased transmissibility but it is still not very clear as to how virulent this new strain is in comparison to other variants.

However, medical experts are cautioning authorities and people against this new variant and are urging people to stay cautious and treat Delta Plus as a highly infectious variant that may show resistance against monoclonal antibodies cocktail treatments.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization has recently warned that the rich nations are sharing vaccines with low-income countries too slowly to prevent the spread of the Delta variant of Covid, putting at risks millions of lives.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization has recently warned that the rich nations are sharing vaccines with low-income countries too slowly to prevent the spread of the Delta variant of Covid, putting at risks millions of lives. Tedros said that world leaders must ensure that at least 10 per cent of people in all countries should be vaccinated by the end of September. Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros https://t.co/OBWl31s1It — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) July 2, 2021 × Speaking about the Delta variant, he said, "The Delta variant is dangerous and is continuing to evolve and mutate, which requires constant evaluation and careful adjustment of the public health response". He further added, “Delta has been detected in at least 98 countries, and is spreading quickly in countries with low and high vaccination coverage. The world must equitably share protective gear, oxygen, tests, treatments and vaccines". Also read | COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant He said, "Public health & social measures like strong surveillance, strategic testing, early case detection, isolation & clinical care remain critical. As well as masking, physical distance, avoiding crowded places & keeping indoor areas well ventilated". Delta Plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new mutant strain of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, and has emerged as a new threat, especially in India. While the Delta variant, which was first detected by scientists in India, became a problem for the whole world, Delta Plus is currently limited to smaller areas in the country and is still under investigation. Experts believe Delta Plus has increased transmissibility but it is still not very clear as to how virulent this new strain is in comparison to other variants. However, medical experts are cautioning authorities and people against this new variant and are urging people to stay cautious and treat Delta Plus as a highly infectious variant that may show resistance against monoclonal antibodies cocktail treatments.

WHO urges countries to vaccinate more people as Delta variant now in 98 countries

President Hassan Rouhani expressed fears on Saturday that Iran will be hit by a fifth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic due to an outbreak of the Delta variant.

During a meeting, Rouhani said, "It is feared that we are on the way to a fifth wave throughout the country,". He warned the public to be careful as "the Delta variant has spread" in southern provinces.

The deadly coronavirus broke out in the last months of 2019 and took over the world in the early months of 2020, sending almost every country around the globe in a complete lockdown. As the countries stopped functioning, economies took a huge hit and people struggled to maintain physical and mental wellbeing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450">Also Read |&nbsp;COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant</a>

However, as 2021 began, people started to gain some hope, especially due to the commencement of vaccine drives all around the globe. Unfortunately, that ray of hope disappeared soon as new variants of COVID-19 started popping out in different cities of the world.

Adding to the long list of new variants, a new mutant version of the Delta strain, Delta Plus, has now been labelled as a "variant of concern" by Indian authorities.

Delta Plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new mutant strain of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, and has emerged as a new threat, especially in India. While the Delta variant, which was first detected by scientists in India, became a problem for the whole world, Delta Plus is currently limited to smaller areas in the country and is still under investigation.

Experts believe Delta Plus has increased transmissibility but it is still not very clear as to how virulent this new strain is in comparison to other variants.

President Hassan Rouhani expressed fears on Saturday that Iran will be hit by a fifth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic due to an outbreak of the Delta variant. During a meeting, Rouhani said, "It is feared that we are on the way to a fifth wave throughout the country,".

President Hassan Rouhani expressed fears on Saturday that Iran will be hit by a fifth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic due to an outbreak of the Delta variant. During a meeting, Rouhani said, "It is feared that we are on the way to a fifth wave throughout the country,". He warned the public to be careful as "the Delta variant has spread" in southern provinces. The deadly coronavirus broke out in the last months of 2019 and took over the world in the early months of 2020, sending almost every country around the globe in a complete lockdown. As the countries stopped functioning, economies took a huge hit and people struggled to maintain physical and mental wellbeing. Also Read | COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant However, as 2021 began, people started to gain some hope, especially due to the commencement of vaccine drives all around the globe. Unfortunately, that ray of hope disappeared soon as new variants of COVID-19 started popping out in different cities of the world. Adding to the long list of new variants, a new mutant version of the Delta strain, Delta Plus, has now been labelled as a "variant of concern" by Indian authorities. Delta Plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new mutant strain of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, and has emerged as a new threat, especially in India. While the Delta variant, which was first detected by scientists in India, became a problem for the whole world, Delta Plus is currently limited to smaller areas in the country and is still under investigation. Experts believe Delta Plus has increased transmissibility but it is still not very clear as to how virulent this new strain is in comparison to other variants.

Iran's Rouhani fears Covid fifth wave linked to Delta variant

The White House has said that it would send special teams to hotspots around the US to battle the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant amid rising cases in parts of the country.

Delta Plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new mutant strain of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, and has emerged as a new threat.

While the Delta variant, which was first detected by scientists in India, became a problem for the whole world, Delta Plus is currently limited to smaller areas in the country and is still under investigation. Experts believe Delta Plus has increased transmissibility but it is still not very clear as to how virulent this new strain is in comparison to other variants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450">Also Read |&nbsp;COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant</a>

White House Covid-19 senior adviser Jeffrey Zients told reporters that "surge response" teams would be ready to speed additional testing supplies and therapeutics to communities that were experiencing increases in Covid-19 cases.&nbsp;

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky said on a news call highlighted that more than 180 million people and more than 66 per cent of adults in the United States have received shots, but around 1,000 counties still have vaccination rates below 30 per cent.&nbsp;

Michael Newshel, a healthcare analyst for Evercore ISI, in a Tuesday analyst note that Nevada and Missouri have the highest rates of Covid-19 infection, and there have been recent outbreaks in states including Utah, Wyoming and Nebraska.

Medical experts are cautioning authorities and people against this new variant and are urging people to stay cautious and treat

Delta Plus as a highly infectious variant that may show resistance against monoclonal antibodies cocktail treatments. 
As of now, new specific symptoms have been reported. It is also not yet clear if the existing vaccines are effective against Delta Plus.

The White House has said that it would send special teams to hotspots around the US to battle the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant amid rising cases in parts of the country.

The White House has said that it would send special teams to hotspots around the US to battle the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant amid rising cases in parts of the country. Delta Plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new mutant strain of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, and has emerged as a new threat. While the Delta variant, which was first detected by scientists in India, became a problem for the whole world, Delta Plus is currently limited to smaller areas in the country and is still under investigation. Experts believe Delta Plus has increased transmissibility but it is still not very clear as to how virulent this new strain is in comparison to other variants. Also Read | COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant White House Covid-19 senior adviser Jeffrey Zients told reporters that "surge response" teams would be ready to speed additional testing supplies and therapeutics to communities that were experiencing increases in Covid-19 cases. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky said on a news call highlighted that more than 180 million people and more than 66 per cent of adults in the United States have received shots, but around 1,000 counties still have vaccination rates below 30 per cent. Michael Newshel, a healthcare analyst for Evercore ISI, in a Tuesday analyst note that Nevada and Missouri have the highest rates of Covid-19 infection, and there have been recent outbreaks in states including Utah, Wyoming and Nebraska. Medical experts are cautioning authorities and people against this new variant and are urging people to stay cautious and treat Delta Plus as a highly infectious variant that may show resistance against monoclonal antibodies cocktail treatments. As of now, new specific symptoms have been reported. It is also not yet clear if the existing vaccines are effective against Delta Plus.

White House to send special teams to hotspots due to highly contagious Delta variant

delta

Delta, News on Delta, stories on Delta, articles on Delta, Delta stories at Wion, Delta news, Delta latest news