COVID-19: Delta Variant Now In 104 Countries, May Spread To Others- WHO

The World Health Organisation has warned countries to put in place preventive measures following the spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus.

Recall, THE WHISTLER had reported that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control confirmed the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in Nigeria.

Delta variant has been identified as designated variants of concern, with a high rate of transmissibility.

The Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the variant has continued to rip around the world at a scorching pace, driving a new spike in cases and deaths.

According to him, last week marked the fourth consecutive week of increasing cases of COVID-19 globally, adding that after 10 weeks of declines, deaths are increasing again.

“The Delta variant is ripping around the world at a scorching pace, driving a new spike in cases and deaths.

“Delta is now in more than 104 countries and we expect it to soon be the dominant COVID-19 strain circulating worldwide,” he said.

He explained that the global gap in vaccine supply is hugely uneven and inequitable.

According to him, the G20 finance ministers are beginning to recognise the importance of funding the ACT Accelerator so that the world can ensure that treatments and vaccines are distributed equitably.

“Over the weekend, the G20 finance ministers recognized the importance of funding the ACT Accelerator so that the world can ensure tests, treatments and vaccines are distributed equitably and I hope this translates quickly to filling the $16bn funding gap.

“AstraZeneca has led on licensing their vaccines around the world to increase vaccine capacity quickly. As well as Europe, India and South Korea, I am pleased to announce two more manufacturing sites, in Japan and Australia, which have now received a WHO Emergency Use Listing, bringing AstraZeneca’s EUL’s to five. We need other manufacturers to follow this example,” he said.