Matt Hancock challenged by Sky News host over Indian variant
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The Delta variant, also known as the variant first identified in India, is now the dominant Covid variant in the UK. While the Covid vaccine has been shown to be effective against it, new analysis by PHE has revealed 29 percent of Covid deaths from the strain had received two doses of the jab.
The PHE report also suggests the Delta variant has a 64 percent increased risk of household transmission compared to the Kent (Alpha) variant.
And it’s believed to be 40 per cent more transmissible outdoors, according to the figures.
More than 90 percent of Covid cases in the UK are the Indian variant.
The rising number of cases, alongside this new report, have raised fears among scientists that the UK could be hit by a third Covid wave.
In England, 39,061 cases of the Delta variant have now been confirmed, with 2,035 in Scotland, 184 in Wales and 43 in Northern Ireland.
Of those, 42 Britons have died from the Delta variant – 12 were fully vaccinated, 23 were unvaccinated, and seven had received their first dose more than 21 days before.
The PHE data puts vaccine effectiveness against the Delta variant at 33 percent after one dose.
After two doses, effectiveness rises to 81 percent.
But this is lower than effectiveness against the Alpha variant, where figures are 51 percent after the first dose and 88.4 percent after the second dose.
Dr William Welfare, COVID Incident Director at Public Health England, said in a statement: “It is highly likely that Delta is significantly more transmissible than Alpha and new research from PHE suggests there is an approximately 60 per cent increased risk of household transmission for Delta compared to Alpha.
“The overall growth of the Delta variant in the community is affected by the variant’s transmissibility, vaccine effectiveness and the individual circumstances of each case.
“We are continuing to investigate and manage the Delta variant to decrease transmission.
“The best way to reduce the spread of all variants is to follow public health advice.
“Get vaccinated, work from home where you can and remember ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times.”
With cases of the Delta variant increasing, coronavirus restrictions in the UK are expected to remain for a bit longer.
The lifting of the last remaining coronavirus restrictions had been planned for 21 June under the government’s road map.
But on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to agree to the delay of lockdown easing in England.
One of the main reasons for keeping the restrictions would be so that more people can get their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Mr Johnson said on Saturday that the rise of the variant was a matter of “serious, serious concern”.
If Freedom Day is delayed, it could be until July 19.
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