Boris Johnson faces a life-or-death decision. In the next few days, the British prime minister must decide whether to fully reopen society as a new and highly infectious coronavirus variant surges. wapo.st/3inqefK
British scientists are telling Johnson that the viral strain B.1.617.2, originally discovered in India and known now as the delta variant, is exploding — and that Britain could soon enter a dreaded third wave of infection. wapo.st/3inqefK
The delta variant is at least 40 percent more infectious, Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed Monday, and it is quickly becoming the dominant strain in Britain. wapo.st/3pzce47
Over recent weeks, the number of new cases in Britain recorded daily has ticked slowly but surely up, while health authorities confirmed last week the delta variant had come to dominate new infections. wapo.st/3pzce47 
The situation could have a significant impact around the world — including in the U.S, where rates of vaccination have slowed despite the Biden administration’s target of having 70 percent of the country vaccinated by July 4. twitter.com/i/events/14019…
Why is it named the delta variant? The World Health Organization recently unveiled its new naming system, saying that it would use letters from the Greek alphabet as “non-stigmatising labels” for new variants. wapo.st/3pGjoDO
The delta variant now accounts for six percent of new infections in the U.S., the Biden administration said Tuesday, but vaccines appear to be highly effective against the version of the virus that has quickly spread into Great Britain and elsewhere. wapo.st/3pDhUKj
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