550 confirmed cases in Singapore highlights the highly contagious Delta variant.

The Ministry of Health of Singapore stated that the mutated virus of new coronary pneumonia, which was originally discovered in India and named "Delta" by the World Health Organization (WHO), is more transmissible; as of May 31, a total of 550 people in Singapore were infected with the mutated virus Delta B.1.617.2), of which 428 were local cases and the rest were overseas immigration cases. It has been more than a year since the outbreak of the epidemic, and the recent variant virus has struck, causing a new wave of epidemics in many countries, including Singapore.

Singapore reports that 16 variant virus strains have been found (Image courtesy of Pixabay) 

The Ministry of Health of Singapore also pointed out that variant viruses will naturally occur during the evolution of the virus. With the evidence of the current confirmed cases, variant viruses, such as Delta, are more transmissible. Sixteen variant virus strains have been found in Singapore, including Alpha (UK variant B.1.1.7) and Beta (South Africa variant B.1.351) listed as "variants of concern" (VOC) by WHO ), Gamma (Brazil mutant strain P.1), Delta and other 4 kinds of mutant virus strains.

Delta is highly contagious. So far, 550 people in Singapore have been infected. (Image courtesy of XINHUANET)        

Singapore has strengthened various epidemic prevention measures in response to this wave of local epidemics started from May 16 to June 13, including limiting social gatherings to a maximum of 2 people, banning restaurant use, and working at home as much as possible. Fortunately, the number of new local cases in the last two weeks has dropped. In addition, the Indian mutant B.1.617 is divided into two branches, B.1.617.2 which belongs to the "high concern mutant" is renamed Delta; the other is the "beware of the mutant strain" B.1.617.1 is renamed as Kappa .