Delta now accounts for 99.5% of all gene sequences: WHO

NEW DELHI: The Delta variant now accounts for nearly all Covid infections globally and virus experts are closely watching its evolution, looking for signs of mutation.
According to the WHO, Delta makes up 99.5% of all genomic sequences reported to public databases and has “outcompeted” other variants in most countries. A key exception is South America, where other variants previously seen as possible global threats — notably Gamma, Lambda and Mustill contribute to a significant proportion of cases. Many experts now believe that all future strains will be offshoots of Delta. One notable Delta “grandchild” is known as AY.4.2 and is concentrated largely in the UK, where it makes up roughly 10% of sequenced virus samples.