80 per cent of fresh coronavirus cases due to Delta variant, says Delhi Health Minister

The Delta variant of coronavirus has been detected in more than 80% of the samples sent for genome sequencing during second wave in Delhi, said Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Tuesday.

The health department had earlier said the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was detected in 83.3 per cent of the samples sent for genome sequencing in Delhi in July.

In May and June, the variant was found in 81.7 per cent and 88.6 per cent of the samples, respectively. In April, it was found in 53.9 per cent of the samples.

The Delta variant was identified in India in December 2020 and has subsequently been detected in over 95 countries. It was majorly behind the deadly second Covid wave that infected lakhs and killed thousands in the country.