Jun 17, 2021 - Health

U.K. coronavirus infections climb to 4-month high

Axios

COVID-19 rapid testing signage — Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The United Kingdom recorded 11,007 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, government figures revealed.

Why it matters: COVID-19 cases across the U.K. are on the rise amid the spread of the highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant. The B.1.617.2 variant, first detected in India, is expected to become the dominant strain in the U.S. in three to four weeks, some researchers say.

By the numbers: Thursday's U.K. total is the highest since Feb. 19 when 12,027 cases were reported in the country.

According to government data, 80.1% of the U.K.'s adult population has received their first dose of a vaccine, with 58.2% having received their second.

What they're doing: On Monday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson extended pandemic-related restrictions to July 19 from June 21.

NIH Director Anthony Fauci earlier this month pointed to surging cases in the U.K. as a call to action for Americans to get vaccinated.

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U.K. coronavirus infections climb to 4-month high

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