Delta variant doubles risk of hospitalisation, new study finds

Outbreak of Delta Covid cases likely to put strain on health services in areas with low vaccination rates, experts say

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The Delta variant doubles the risk of Covid hospitalisation compared with the previously dominant Alpha variant, a new study focused largely on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people has found.

The analysis - based on data collected in England - suggests that outbreaks of the Delta variant are likely to put an additional strain on health services, particularly in places with low rates of vaccination.