FACT BRIEF

Is the Delta variant of the coronavirus beginning to spread in North America?

Sunday, June 6, 2021

By Lisa Freedland

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YES

The coronavirus variant now known as the Delta variant, first identified in India, has spread to 62 countries. The variant was first detected in the U.S. between February and March of 2021. Canada and Mexico have also detected it, and are monitoring its further spread.

The variant has caused outbreaks throughout Asia and Africa, and is starting to spread throughout the United Kingdom as well. The World Health Organization has dubbed the Delta variant a “variant of global concern.”

U.K. epidemiologist Neil Ferguson has estimated that it is 60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant, previously thought the most transmissible. A study by Public Health England has shown that two vaccine doses are more effective than one against the variant. However, it has also found that it is more transmissible and causes “more significant illness” than previous variants.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control SARS-CoV-2 variant classifications and definitions

CNBC Delta COVID variant first found in India spreads to 62 countries, hot spots form in Asia and Africa, WHO says

Bloomberg US arrival of highly contagious variant draws CDC scrutiny

Guardian UK reports 6,238 daily COVID cases amid fears over Delta variant infectiousness

Public Health England SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants under investigation in England

CBC Race between vaccines and variants is back on as B.1.617 takes hold in Canada

The Yucatan Times Mexico detects first case of Indian variant of COVID-19

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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.