Coronavirus: Delta variant now causing one in five Covid cases in France
Delta variant is ‘gradually becoming dominant’ despite decrease in cases
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Delta variant currently represents more than 20 per cent of Covid-19 cases in France, the country’s health minister has said.
Olivier Veran told France Info radio that the proportion of Delta variant cases was increasing in the country, more than doubling over last week’s estimate that suggested the variant made up only 9 to 10 per cent of cases a week ago.
“The Delta variant now accounts for about 20 per cent of new cases,” he said, “its share keeps on increasing in percentage not in absolute terms as the total number of cases is decreasing.”
On Monday, 509 new coronavirus cases were reported in France, and the seven-day average of daily additional infections fell to 1,819, nearing a 10-month low.
Mr Veran said the Delta variant was “gradually becoming dominant, as it does in all countries in the world, as it is more contagious.”
On Monday, Germany reported that Covid-19 cases caused by the Delta variant had more than doubled in a week, and it is estimated that the variant now makes up around 50 per cent of all cases in the country.
Last week the EU’s disease control agency warned that the variant could account for 90 per cent of new coronavirus infections across Europe by late August.
The Delta variant, first seen in India, has since been detected in at least 85 countries around the world, and is estimated to be between 40 and 60 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha variant, first detected in Kent.
It is currently the dominant variant in the UK, accounting for approximately 95 per cent of all cases.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments