Delta Variant Spreads Widely in the US and Germany... Over 50% of New Cases

Published 08 Jul.2021 13:47(KST)

In the US, 51.7% in the past two weeks... Germany also 59% as of the end of June

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The COVID-19 Delta variant has become the dominant strain as it spreads in the United States and Germany.

According to the Associated Press (AP) on the 7th (local time), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that infections from the Delta variant accounted for 51.7% of new cases in the late June period (June 20 to July 3).

This is a significant increase from the early June period (June 6 to 19), when it accounted for 30.4%.

The Delta variant, first identified in India, is rapidly spreading to various countries and is estimated to be 40 to 60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant (originating from the UK).

Earlier, on June 15, the CDC upgraded the Delta variant from a "variant of interest" to a "variant of concern" and has been on alert since then.

Accordingly, the New York Times (NYT) reported that many experts believe the Joe Biden administration must strongly encourage vaccination.

As of the 6th, daily vaccinations across the U.S. are about 870,000 doses. This is a 74% decrease from the peak of 3.38 million doses recorded on April 13, according to the NYT analysis.

Additionally, as of the 6th, 67.1% of the U.S. population has received at least one vaccine dose. This falls short of President Biden’s goal to have at least 70% of all adults receive one dose by Independence Day, July 4.

In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the country's disease control authority, announced on the 7th that the Delta variant accounted for 59% of new cases as of late June, making it the dominant strain.

The RKI also noted that daily new cases have increased for the first time in over two months. On the 7th, 985 new cases were reported, a sharp rise compared to 177 new cases a week earlier.

As a result, German authorities are adjusting the pace of easing COVID-19 restrictions.

On the 7th, Health Minister Jens Spahn said in a radio interview that they would review the lifting of remaining restrictions while monitoring the vaccination rate.