Indian Covid variant could be the dominant strain in the US within a WEEK, say experts as it causes havoc in UK where 30% of the 42 fatalities linked to mutant were people who'd been fully vaccinated
Data shows highly-contagious 'Delta' strain of Covid is spreading quickly across the United States
The variant, first detected in India, now accounts for 10 percent of all US cases, up from just one percent a month ago
US health officials are desperate to avoid a replica of what is occurring in the United Kingdom, where the Delta strain accounts for 90 percent of cases
In the UK, Covid cases are up 109 percent in a single week, hospitalizations have surged and lockdown laws may be extended by another month
By ANDREW COURT FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 10:16 EDT, 13 June 2021 | UPDATED: 16:32 EDT, 13 June 2021
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The Indian variant of Covid-19 could be the dominant strain of the virus in the United States in just one week, according to disturbing new data.
The highly-transmissible strain - known as B.1.617.2 or 'Delta' - now makes up about 10 percent of US cases, up from just one percent less than a month ago, Outbreak.info claims.
'When will B.1.617.2 (Delta) be the dominant variant in the US? Could be next week (or next 2 weeks) based on trends in our testing data & sequences available,' researcher Alexandre Bolze wrote on Twitter Thursday.
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The strain, which was first detected in India, has wreaked havoc in the United Kingdom, where it now makes up 91 percent of all new cases.
It has caused Covid cases in that country to surge by 109 percent in a single week, with the government now considering extending lockdown restrictions by another month. The UK is headed for a third Covid wave and, at the current rate, could have 80,000 new cases a day by mid-July.
Stoking fears, a study by Public Health England shows 29 percent of the 42 people who have died after catching the new strain had received both of their Covid vaccinations.
A similar surge in US cases could be disastrous, particularly given that many are confident the pandemic is almost over, thanks to falling case numbers and widespread vaccinations.
Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned Americans against complacency, and pleaded with the public to get vaccinated.
Public Health England data puts vaccine effectiveness against the Delta variant at just 33 per cent after one dose. However, after two doses, this rises considerably to 81 per cent. Those who died in the UK after being fully vaccinated were likely to have been elderly and have suffered complications.
The Indian variant of Covid-19 could be the dominant strain of the virus in the United States in just one week, according to disturbing new data +7
The Indian variant of Covid-19 could be the dominant strain of the virus in the United States in just one week, according to disturbing new data
The highly-transmissible strain - known as B.1.617.2 or 'Delta' - now makes up about 10 percent of US cases, up from just one percent less than a month ago, Outbreak.info claims +7
The highly-transmissible strain - known as B.1.617.2 or 'Delta' - now makes up about 10 percent of US cases, up from just one percent less than a month ago, Outbreak.info claims
Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned Americans against complacency, and pleased with the public to get vaccinated. As of Sunday, less than 50 percent of the country are full vaccinated against Covid-19 +7
Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned Americans against complacency, and pleased with the public to get vaccinated. As of Sunday, less than 50 percent of the country are full vaccinated against Covid-19
Meanwhile, additional data from Outbreak.info shows that cases of the B.1.1.7 variant - known as 'Alpha' or the UK variant - are falling in the United States.
In April, that variant made up around 66 percent of all cases on average. This week, Alpha only accounted for 44 percen
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