CDC says Delta COVID variant is ‘of concern,’ as experts warn of higher risks of infection and serious illness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reclassified the Delta variant of COVID-19 as one “of concern,” underscoring how much more prevalent the B.1.617.2 variant first identified in India is becoming in the U.S.

The Delta variant has spread across the U.K., accounting for 90% of new cases in the latest week, and is the main reason Prime Minister Boris Johnson postponed the nation’s planned reopening for an extra four weeks earlier this week. The World Health Organization said this week the variant is now in 74 countries, sparking concerns it may become the dominant strain around the world.

Among Americans 18 years-and-older, 141 million people are fully vaccinated, equal to 54.6% of that population. Among Americans 65 years-and -older, almost 42 million people are fully vaccinated, equal to 76.5% of that group. Almost 48 million people in that age bracket have received a first jab, covering 86.9% of that population.

On the medical front, Regeneron Inc. REGN, +1.88% said its COVID-19 antibody therapy cut the risk of death in patients who have been hospitalized by 20%, as MarketWatch’s Jaimy Lee reported. This is the first time clinical research has demonstrated that Regeneron’s antibody treatment has improved survival for hospitalized patients.

Internationally, the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, has mandated vaccines for all service workers, following a recent surge in new cases, The Moscow Times reported. Businesses operating in the hospitality, education, healthcare and entertainment sectors will be required to ensure 60% of their workforces are vaccinated, according to the decree signed by Moscow’s chief sanitary doctor.

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The delta Covid variant now accounts for 10 percent of new U.S. casesThe change in classification is based on mounting evidence that the variant spreads more easily and causes more severe disease. Interesting. Was bound to happen. Flights from India kept flowing into U.S. well beyond the initial phase of the second wave there. delta variant is spreading 👀
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The delta Covid variant now accounts for 10 percent of U.S. casesThe change in classification is based on mounting evidence that the variant spreads more easily and causes more severe disease. Will you stop with this man made virus? WALL STREET JOURNAL quoted from the Journal “CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES” on NEW medical evidence that Covid 19 was infecting Americans long BEFORE the world learned that it was causing a deadly outbreak in Wuhan, China.
Source: NBCNews - 🏆 10. / 86 Read more »