Delta variant confirmed in 124 countries... WHO "200 million cumulative cases within 3 weeks"

"Will Become the Dominant Species Worldwide Within Months"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Delta variant, first identified in India last October, has now spread to 124 countries. It is expected to become the dominant strain worldwide within a few months.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on the 21st (local time), "The Delta variant has been reported in 124 countries, an increase of 13 countries in just one week."

In its weekly epidemiological update, WHO said, "There is substantial evidence supporting the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant," adding, "It is rapidly outpacing the transmissibility of other variants and is expected to become the dominant strain in the coming months."

According to the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID), the prevalence of the Delta variant has exceeded 75% in several countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, Indonesia, South Africa, and India.

The Delta variant is one of the four major variants of concern designated by WHO, along with the UK-origin Alpha, South Africa-origin Beta, and Brazil-origin Gamma variants. During the same period, the Alpha variant increased by 6 countries to 180 countries, the Beta variant increased by 7 countries to 130 countries, and the Gamma variant increased by 3 countries to 78 countries.

WHO reported that the number of new confirmed cases worldwide for the week ending on the 18th increased by 12% compared to the previous week, reaching 3.4 million. It added, "If this trend continues, the cumulative number of confirmed cases worldwide will exceed 200 million within the next three weeks."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.