Delta variant behind COVID-19 resurge in Lisbon area

LISBON - Over half the new COVID-19 cases being reported in the Lisbon region are of the more infectious Delta coronavirus variant, preliminary data showed on Sunday as Portuguese authorities scramble to curb a worrying spike in infections.

Ricardo Jorge, the national health institute, said the Delta variant, first identified in India, represented over 60% of cases in the Lisbon area though still less than 15% in the northern half of Portugal. The Alpha variant, which was previously dominant in Britain, is more prevalent across Portugal's north, representing 80% of infections there and only 30% in and around Lisbon, according to the institute.