ARCHIVED - Delta variant accounts for 10 per cent of Covid cases in some parts of Spain
Concerns over the variant were behind the decision on Monday to demand negative PCR tests or proof of vaccination from tourists from the UK, where it now accounts for the vast majority of cases.
The Delta (or Indian) variant of coronavirus is spreading fast in Spain and, according to the latest report on the epidemic from the Ministry of Health, it now accounts for more than 10 per cent of cases in some regions.
However, the Alpha variant, also known as the British or Kent variant, still accounts for the majority of cases, along with the Beta (or South African) variant and the Gamma (Brazilian) variant, the report reveals.
The Delta variant has been popping up increasingly often in random sampling and accounted for 2.7 per cent of cases tested in the week between 31 May and 6 June. The strain is not present in every Spanish region, but in some, it accounts for up to 10 per cent of cases.
The Alpha variant is currently still responsible for most of the Covid cases in Spain, accounting for between 46.7 and 100 per cent of those tested between 14 and 20 June, depending on the region, with particularly high levels in Aragón, Asturias, Cantabria, Andalusia and Ceuta.
Although all the regions are studying sequencing, the data available on the Spanish Surveillance System remains limited as the process is slow and tedious, the Ministry of Health has explained.