July 8, 2021
1 min read

Delta strain now dominant in US

Delta, which was first found in India and is now in over 100 countries, represented 51.7 per cent of new infections in the US…reports Asian Lite News

 The highly transmissible Delta strain has overtaken the Alpha variant to become the dominant variant in the US, according to new estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Delta, which was first found in India and is now in over 100 countries, represented 51.7 per cent of new infections in the US over the two weeks ending July 3, Xinhua news agency reported citing the CDC.

Meanwhile, the proportion of new cases caused by Alpha, which was first detected in Britain, was just 28.7 per cent over the same time period, according to the CDC.

Recently, health officials and experts have warned that the Delta variant was on track to become the dominant variant in the US, as its prevalence in the nation doubles about every two weeks.

us

ALSO READ: ‘Delta variant to unsettle US soon’

They are concerned the variant will cause a surge in new cases this fall, hitting the unvaccinated population the hardest.

Increasing cases were reported in states with lower vaccination rates, including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, according to the CDC.

Although Delta is highly contagious, research show that most vaccines still remain highly effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths caused by the variant.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday pushed for all eligible Americans to get Covid-19 vaccinations, stressing the importance of being protected against Delta.

The country reached its highest vaccination rate in mid-April when the seven-day average of doses administered daily topped about 3.4 million. But the rate has dropped since then.

About 47.6 per cent of the US population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and 55.1 per cent of the population has received at least one shot as of Wednesday, CDC data show.

Biden set a goal in May of having 70 per cent of American adults receive at least one Covid-19 shot by the Fourth of July. But just 18 states and Washington, DC surpassed that goal by the date, according to a Forbes report.

ALSO READ:  Covaxin effective against both Alpha, Delta variants: US NIH

Previous Story

Isaac Herzog sworn in as Israel’s president

Next Story

6-time Himachal CM Virbhadra passes away

Latest from -Top News

Industry Hails India-UK FTA

£34 billion boost, sweeping tariff cuts and market access mark UK’s most ambitious post-Brexit trade pact; Indian sectors set for exports surge…reports Asian Lite News Business leaders from both India and the

India, UK Sign Landmark FTA

The pact is set to make imported goods like Scotch whisky, gin, luxury cars, cosmetics, and medical devices more affordable for Indian consumers….reports Asian Lite News In a landmark moment for India-UK

Farmers Win Big in India-UK FTA

There is a massive gain for rural India and exporters with zero duty on processed foods compared with up to 70 per cent earlier….reports Asian Lite News The India-UK Free Trade Agreement

Modi-Starmer Meet Ahead of FTA Signing

During the discussions, the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on Keir Starmer at the

Hindu Temple Vandalised in Melbourne

Confirming the incident, Victoria Police mentioned they are investigating “four linked incidents in Boronia,” including the temple and two restaurants….reports Asian Lite News In a deeply disturbing incident of racial violence, a
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Our democracy faces the gravest danger – by Dr Alon Ben-Meir

Unless the Republicans and Democrats put the nation above their

Biden in Limbo as Taliban Flex Muscles

The US troops play a crucial role in the future