Biden: ‘Potentially deadlier’ Delta COVID variant won’t cause new lockdowns

President Biden said Friday that the Delta variant of COVID-19 won’t trigger new lockdowns in the US, but that it may cause more infections in regions with lower vaccination rates.

“No, it’s not a lockdown, but some areas will be very hurt,” Biden said at the White House as he celebrated the administration of 300 million vaccine shots during his first 150 days in office. “Where people have gotten two shots, that Delta variant is highly unlikely to result in anything other than, I mean, it’s — the existing vaccines are very effective,” he said.