The Delta variant of Covid-19, identified in at least 85 countries, is the “most transmissible” of the variants identified so far and is spreading rapidly among unvaccinated populations, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned. “I know that globally there is currently a lot of concern about the Delta variant, and the WHO is concerned about it too,” Director-General Ghebreyesus said at a press briefing. The Delta variant was first identified in India.

He noted with concern that as some countries ease public health and social measures, “we are starting to see increases in transmission around the world.” “More cases means more hospitalisations, further stretching health workers and health systems, which increases the risk of death,” he said.