WHO has warned that the Delta variant is “the fastest” and warned it may spread further with the relaxation of restrictions in several countries

The Delta variant of the coronavirus, detected in India, it is the one that is transmitted with the highest speed, and can take advantage of the relaxation of preventive health measures in many countries to extend, warned the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday.

“This variant worries us a lot, and already circulating in 92 countries“, said the head of the WHO anticovid technical unit at a press conference, Marie Van Kerkhove.

The Delta variant “now has the ability to be transmitted with increased socialization, if the measures are relaxed too early ”at a time when large populations are still not vaccinated, said the North American expert.

Van Kerkhove pointed out that, on the positive side, there is no indication that the Delta variant represents an increase in mortality among those affected by COVID-19, and that vaccines are still effective against it, at least to reduce severe cases.

“In any case, it is important to stress that it is necessary to receive two doses vaccine to be fully protected, ”he added.

Likewise, sanitary measures are effective in stopping the transmission of this variant detected for the first time in India, which, in his opinion, could mean “It has to be applied for a longer period. “

“It is the fastest variant, and it can easily affect the most vulnerable”, insisted the director of health emergencies of the WHO, Mike Ryan.

The Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reported that global COVID-19 cases have fallen for eight consecutive weeks and deaths for seven, even if the figures remain high (2.5 million infections worldwide and 64,000 deaths in the last seven days).

In addition, the declining global curve is flattening, which means a downward drag on cases in many regions, “And in Africa there is even a rapid increase, with a 40% increase in infections and deaths last week”Tedros warned.

The WHO Director-General has again denounced “unequal access” to vaccines. A fact which, as he detailed, shows that when there is a crisis, low-income countries cannot depend on the richer regions. “Improving the local production of health products has been a concern for WHO for several years, but the pandemic has put it even more in the center of attention. “, Held.

In this regard, he announced that WHO is starting talks with companies and institutions to create a technology transfer in Africa in order to be able to manufacture Messenger RNA for the coronavirus, as well as for other diseases.

On Monday, the United States announced that will donate 14 million additional doses of vaccine to Latin America and the Caribbean thanks to the Covax program promoted by the World Health Organization.

Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, Caribbean Community countries (CARICOM), Dominican Republic, Panama and Costa Rica, they will receive vaccines in this setting, according to a statement that lists them in that order.

The White House identified the countries on Monday to which the United States will send approximately 55 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which constitutes the bulk of a donation of 80 million doses promised by the end of June.

75% of these 55 million (or 41 million) will be distributed through Covax, an initiative created to ensure equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines around the world.

In addition to the approximately 14 million that will go to Latin America and the Caribbean, some 16 million have been allocated to Asia and nearly 10 million to Africa. The remaining 25% of the 55 million (14 million doses) will be distributed directly to “regional priorities and other beneficiaries”said the White House.

Latin American and Caribbean countries in this category are Colombia, Argentina, Haiti, CARICOM countries, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Panama. The White House has not specified how much vaccine each country will receive for doses sent to the region via Covax, nor for those sent directly.

Early June, the White House had already given details on the distribution of the first 25 million doses of the 80 million promised. He then specified that six million would be intended for Latin America and the Caribbean via Covax, while Mexico and Haiti were among the direct beneficiaries.

The first tranche included the Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer / BioNTech vaccines, but the White House he did not indicate which ones would be in this second section.

Biden also announced a few days ago the purchase by the United States of 500 million doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine in order to donate it to other countries in need from this summer until June 2022.

“Our goals are to increase global vaccine coverage against COVID-19, prepare for outbreaks of the epidemic and prioritize health workers and other vulnerable populations (…), and help our neighbors and other countries in need“Reported the White House. “The United States will not use its vaccines to gain favor from other countries”, he clarified.

While vaccination against covid is widespread in rich countries, facilitating the return to normalcy, COVID cases are on the rise in much of the world, particularly in South America and Africa.

Less than 1% of viral vaccine doses worldwide they were given to people in low income countries.

(With information from EFE and AFP)

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