Latest weekly update on confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK
PHE’s weekly COVID-19 variant cases data shows that numbers of the Delta variant in the UK have risen by 54,268 (32% increase) since last week. The Delta variant currently accounts for approximately 99% of cases that are sequenced across the UK.
Source:
Public Health England
SPS commentary:
A risk assessment on the Lambda variant has been published separately for the first time. Lambda has spread successfully in South America with evidence of some wider global transmission. There are a small number of cases in the UK (8 to date) which are largely travel associated. Lambda contains a novel combination of mutations and very limited laboratory data are available.
The latest delta variant risk assessment notes that early data on hospitalised patients does not show indicators of increased severity once in hospital; further analyses are required.