The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warns that the highly contagious Delta variant of the new coronavirus is expected to account for 90 percent of the new COVID-19 cases in the European Union.
“It is very likely that the Delta variant will circulate extensively during the summer, particularly among younger individuals that are not targeted for vaccination,” Andrea Ammon, the centre’s director, said in a statement.
“By the end of August, it will represent 90 percent of new cases in the EU,” she added.
The ECDC also warned of the serious implications of the new variant, especially among youths.
“It is very likely that the Delta variant will circulate extensively during the summer, particularly among younger individuals that are not targeted for vaccination,” the ECDC said.
“This could cause a risk for the more vulnerable individuals to be infected and experience severe illness and death if they are not fully vaccinated.”
The World Health Organization has earlier warned that the variant first identified in India was becoming dominant globally.
