The White House in Washington, D.C.
White House officials warned that the India variant of the coronavirus, now known as Delta, is on the rise in the United States.
The variant, also known as B.1.617.2, is rapidly spreading in the United Kingdom and, with 60% of infections, is now the dominant strain there.
The variant has risen to account for over 6% of all new cases in the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. It is responsible for over 18% of new cases in some Western U.S. states.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease specialist, speaking at a White House briefing, warned that the new variant is associated with more severe disease and carries a higher risk of hospitalization.
Referencing the high percentage of cases in the United Kingdom, he told reporters that “[W]e cannot let that happen in the United States.”
Fauci reminded those who have gotten their first shot of coronavirus vaccine to return for their second in order to keep the India variant at bay. He also beseeched the non-vaccinated to get inoculated.
“For those who have still not been vaccinated yet, please get vaccinated,” he said.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
