The Chief Medical Advisor to the American Government, Anthony Fauci, said that the Delta COVID-19 variant has become the dominant variant in the world. Based on the data he has, the variant originating from India has been circulating in 100 countries.
"We are dealing with a really dangerous variant," Fauci said, quoted by Reuters news agency, Friday, July 16, 2021.
The impact, according to Fauci, has already been felt by America. The number of COVID-19 cases in Uncle Sam's country rose 70 percent in the past week. This was followed by a 26 percent increase in the death rate compared to the previous week.
More specifically, the weekly average for the daily number of cases rose to more than 26,000. This figure is much higher than the lowest figure (for the same category) in June, which was 11,000 cases.
Director of the American Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Rochelle Walensky, confirmed Fauci's statement. He said the Delta variant had a major impact on the pandemic situation in America. In areas with low vaccination rates, Walensky said, the Delta variant causes outbreaks.
"It's become a pandemic for those who haven't been vaccinated...97 percent of people hospitalized for COVID-19 are currently unvaccinated," said Walensky.
Walensky encouraged unvaccinated Americans to get vaccinated immediately. He said Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines have proven effective against the Delta COVID-19 variant. Regarding the booster shot or third dose, Walensky said America has more than enough supply for it, but is still discussing whether to give it or not.