The Delta Variant Has Now Spread to 80 Countries — and It Keeps Mutating

🇺🇳@COVID19Up: The delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, first detected in India, has now spread to more than 80 countries and continues to mutate as it spreads across the world, World Health Organization (WHO) officials warned on Wednesday.

The variant now makes up 10% of all new COVID-19 cases in the United States, up from 6% last week.

CDC is tracking a new variant of the virus that causes #COVID19 called Delta, or B.1.617.2. There is evidence that this variant spreads easily from person to person. Get vaccinated as soon as you can to stop the spread of COVID-19. Learn more: https://t.co/wcBec5GD9H. pic.twitter.com/YrCVNpI9ya

— CDC (@CDCgov) June 15, 2021

Studies have shown the variant is even more transmissible than other variants. WHO officials said some reports have found that it also causes more severe symptoms.

"A headache, sore throat and runny nose are now the most commonly reported symptoms linked to Covid infection in the UK…"

Can't have that. Clearly it's time for another lockdown. https://t.co/6ItHnnObiq

— ZUBY: (@ZubyMusic) June 16, 2021

The WHO is also tracking recent reports of a “delta plus” variant.

“What I think this means is that there is an additional mutation that has been identified,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead.

The #DeltaVariant (B.1.617.2) of Covid-19 that first surfaced in India has now a new mutated sublineage version called AY.1 or #DeltaPlus — one that is possibly capable of resisting even the monoclonal antibodies cocktail currently prescribed.https://t.co/4IjHKiT1BR

— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) June 16, 2021

The delta variant now makes up more than 60% of new cases in the United Kingdom.

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