<Anchor> Since the
4th epidemic began, the number of new confirmed cases is expected to break a record high today (21st) as the number of delta-mutated infections has increased rapidly. In the United States, the proportion of patients infected with the delta mutation among new confirmed cases has soared to 83%, which is much higher than ours now, and the number of confirmed cases is also rapidly increasing. The White House has an emergency as a series of breakthrough infections in which people who have been vaccinated become infected.
Correspondent Yunsu Kim from Washington.
<Reporter>
Between the end of June and the beginning of July, the number of delta mutations in the US accounted for more than 50% of all infections.
It was found that the proportion of delta mutations increased to 83% within two weeks of becoming the dominant species.
It's an explosive spread.
[Wallensky / Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: On July 3rd, it was 50%, which is a huge increase. In some areas, rates are much higher, especially in areas with low vaccination rates.]
However, vaccination rates are seldom rising.
Still, only 48% of Americans are vaccinated, and 56% of those who have had more than one vaccination.
Health officials have warned that if this continues, another large-scale outbreak could continue for quite some time.
[Mercy / Director of Public Health: Corona 19 is a deceptive virus. He deceived us many times. We should not be vigilant until the number of patients is reduced and maintained for a considerable period of time. ]
Amid the spread of delta mutations, breakthrough infections are also increasing.
In particular, as cases of breakthrough infections have been confirmed one after another at the White House and the Congress, there is a growing demand for mandatory quarantine guidelines such as wearing a mask again.