Delta COVID-19 variant becoming globally dominant, says WHO official

Britain has reported a steep rise in infections with the Delta variant, while Germany's top public health official predicted it would rapidly become the dominant variant there despite rising vaccination rates. The Kremlin blamed a surge in COVID-19 cases on reluctance to have vaccinations and 'nihilism' after record new infections in Moscow, mostly with the new Delta variant, fanned fears of a third wave.

New Delhi: The Delta variant of COVID-19, first identified in India, is becoming the globally dominant variant of the disease, the World Health Organization`s chief scientist said on Friday. Soumya Swaminathan also voiced disappointment in the failure of CureVac`s vaccine candidate in a trial to meet the WHO`s efficacy standard, in particular as highly transmissible variants boost the need for new, effective shots. Britain has reported a steep rise in infections with the Delta variant, while Germany's top public health official predicted it would rapidly become the dominant variant there despite rising vaccination rates.