Jul 7, 2021 - Health

CDC: Delta becomes dominant coronavirus variant in U.S.

Jacob Knutson

People wearing masks outside of a coronavirus vaccine site in Los Angeles on July 6. Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Image

The Delta variant is now the dominant version of COVID-19 in the United States, according to new estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why it matters: The Delta variant, first detected in India, is more transmissible than other versions and is rapidly spreading in multiple countries around the world.

Of note: All coronavirus vaccines used in the U.S. protect against the Delta variant.

By the numbers: The Delta variant surpassed the Alpha variant and accounted for 51.7% of new COVID cases in the U.S. over the two weeks ending July 3.

The variant, also known as B.1.617.2, now accounts for roughly 80% of new coronavirus cases in Missouri.
Roughly 67% of U.S. adults have had at least one shot, and 58% are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

The big picture: The World Health Organization has said the Delta variant is anticipated to become the dominant variant globally.

The rise of the variant has prompted local governments in the U.S. and national governments in other countries to reimplement mask mandates, Axios' Marisa Fernandez reports.

Go deeper: States most vulnerable to COVID are also some of the least vaccinated

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CDC: Delta becomes dominant coronavirus variant in U.S.

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