Covid: Delta variant cases up by 34% in past week, Public Health England says

The number of Coronavirus infections linked to the dominant Delta variant have increased by 54,268 in the past week, a rise of 34 per cent, Public Health England has said.

In a new analysis of variant cases in the UK, PHE said the Delta variant, which was first identified in India, now accounted for 99 per cent of call cases that have been genetically sequenced.

Of the 54,268 cases, 44 were linked to a new version of the Delta variant, known as the Delta AY.1 variant which is being watched closely for fears it could be even more transmissible than the original strain.

In total 216,249 confirmed and probable cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant have been identified in the UK, up from 161,981 cases in the previous week.

Of the total cases, 180,643 have been in England, 28,559 in Scotland, 3,666 in Wales and 3,381 in Northern Ireland.

The Delta variant currently accounts for approximately 99% of confirmed cases of coronavirus across the UK.

A total of 1,904 people had been admitted to hospital in England with the Delta variant up to June 21. A total of 1,283 people were under the age of 50 while 615 were 50 or over.

Of those under 50, 987, or 77 per cent, were unvaccinated, 106, 8 per cent, were less than 21 days after their first dose of vaccine while 118, 9 per were 21 or more days after their first dose of vaccine. Only 48, 4 per cent, were fully vaccinated.

Of the 615 aged 50 or over, 195, 32 per cent, were unvaccinated, 11 were less than 21 days after their first dose of vaccine and 140 were 21 or more days after their first dose. A total of 265 people, or 43 per cent, were fully vaccinated.

For those who died with the Delta variant, by 21 June there 257 deaths in England 28 days after testing positive. In total 26 were under the age of 50, and 231 were aged 50 or over.

Of those aged over 50, 71 were unvaccinated, 1 was within 21 days of a first dose with 41 people at least 21 days after one dose and 116 had received both doses.

In the 26 under 50, three were at least 21 days after a first dose of vaccine, two had received both doses and 21 were unvaccinated.

There are 4 current variants of concern and 9 variants under investigation. The variants are being closely monitored because of their potential to evade the vaccines and infect more people - so far the vaccines offer good protection against variants with two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine delivering 96 per cent and 92 per cent protection against hospitalisation, respectively.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency said: “The data continues to show that the sharp increase in cases that we are seeing is not being followed by a similar increase in hospitalisation and death. This is because two doses of the available vaccines offer a high level of protection against the Delta variant. Getting both jabs is the best way to ensure you and the people you love remain safe, so we once again urge everyone to come forward as soon as they are eligible.

“As we approach the planned end of restrictions, we must remain cautious and careful. Cases are rising across the country, and whilst the vaccines offer excellent protection, they do not offer 100 per cent protection. Be sensible, and follow ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times and make sure to get tested if required.”