Epidemiological Update: Increase of the Delta variant and its potential impact in the Region of the Americas (8 August 2021)

Abstract

Since the initial identification of SARS-CoV-2, as of 5 August 2021, more than 2.6 million complete genomic sequences have been shared worldwide, providing visibility and public access to this information. The ability to monitor viral evolution, almost in real time, has a direct impact on the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as it allows the identification of changes in epidemiological patterns, changes in virulence, or even a decrease in the preventive efficacy of vaccines, among other contributions. Globally, several countries with an increase in cases and hospitalizations with the emergence of Variant of Concern (VOC) Delta can be observed (Figure 1), including Member States in the Americas with high vaccination coverage. With the VOC Gamma as the predominant variant in several countries and territories of the Americas, and the emergence of the identification of VOC Delta in these same countries and territories, in addition to other variants of interest (VOI) (Figure 2), such as Lambda, for example, exhorts the necessity to point out to the Member States of the region the importance of the preparatory process for the expansion of care capacity in the face of a potential increase in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.