Delta variant cases continue to rise

PHE’s weekly COVID-19 variant cases data show 99% of sequenced and genotyped cases across the country are the Delta variant. Although data show an increased risk of hospitalisation with Delta compared to Alpha, 2 doses of vaccine gives a high degree of protection (estimated >90%)

SPS commentary:

The weekly technical briefing notes that although the crude case fatality rate remains lower for Delta than other variants at present, it is too early to provide a formal assessment of the case fatality of Delta as mortality is a lagged indicator.

 

Although there is evidence that there is a reduction in vaccine effectiveness for Delta compared to Alpha against symptomatic infection, current evidence suggests that the vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisations is maintained.

Public Health England

Resource links:

Variant technical briefing

Risk assessment for Delta variant (18 June)