European Disease Center: "Delta Variant Dominant in 19 European Countries"

Expected to Become a Global Dominant Species in the Future

'EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate' Displayed on Mobile Phone

(Paris AFP=Yonhap News) The EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate system for free movement within the European Union (EU) officially came into effect on the 1st (local time). This certificate is issued to EU citizens and residents who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, have recovered from the virus, or have tested negative. It can be used in digital form or as a paper copy containing a QR code. The photo shows the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate (right) and a passport displayed on a mobile phone screen.
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[Asia Economy Reporter Junhyung Lee] The COVID-19 Delta variant has already become the dominant strain in many parts of Europe.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) announced on the 23rd (local time) that among 28 European countries providing related information from the 28th of last month to the 11th of this month, the Delta variant was dominant in 19 countries.

The average proportion of the Delta variant in these 19 countries was 68.3%, surpassing the previously dominant Alpha variant (22.3%). The Delta variant, first identified in India, is known to spread 1.6 times faster than the UK-originated Alpha variant. It has been spreading recently across Europe and other countries worldwide, raising concerns.

The ECDC predicted that the Delta variant will become the globally dominant strain over the coming months. The Delta variant has already been detected in almost all European countries.

The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the ECDC reported that COVID-19 cases have been increasing weekly across Europe over the past four weeks. Cases have risen in all age groups, with the fastest increase observed among those aged 15 to 24.

Andrea Ammon, Director of the ECDC, urged continuous vigilance to prevent the spread of COVID-19, recommending maintaining physical distancing and wearing masks when necessary. Additionally, the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the ECDC advised that vaccines should be administered quickly to everyone eligible for vaccination.

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