The Delta variant is by far the dominant strain of the coronavirus in the world.
As on September 21, the infectious virus has been found to be present in 185 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
“The Delta variant now accounted for 90 per cent of the sequences submitted to GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data) with a sample collection date between 15 June-15 September, 2021),” the global health agency stated in its weekly epidemiological update.
“Less than one per cent each of Alpha, Beta and Gamma are currently circulating. It’s really predominantly Delta around the world,” said WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19 Maria Van Kerkhove.
“Delta has become more fit, it is more transmissible and it is out-competing, it is replacing the other viruses that are circulating,” she added.
The UN health agency has also revised classification of some COVID variants. Eta (detected in 81 countries), Iota (at least 49 countries) and Kappa (57 countries) have been changed from variants of interest (VOI) to variants under monitoring due to a substantial decline worldwide.
“The revision reflects the rapid spread and current dominance of Delta variant in most regions of the world,” WHO stated.
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