Delta Plus variant accounts for under 2% of sequenced Covid-19 cases in Catalonia

Unlike with the arrival of the highly contagious Delta, which rapidly became the predominant variant, Delta Plus does not account for most Covid-19 cases in Catalonia; in fact, only 14 people are known to have had it in September and October.

According to public health secretary Carmen Cabezas, who spoke with Catalunya Ràdio on Friday morning, between 1% and 2% of sequenced cases turn out to be Delta Plus.

Cabezas said that authorities had noticed a slight increase in vaccination coverage among younger people after Covid-19 certificates became mandatory for entry into nightclubs in Catalonia. 

As of October 28, almost 72% of 20 to 29-year-olds have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while 68.5% are considered to be fully immunized.

Covid pass requirements are a "good tool" to encourage people to get their jabs, the public health secretary said. 

Health authorities aim to vaccinate 85% of the population. At the moment, only 74.6% of the population is fully immunized – a figure that rises to 83.2% among people 12 and older, that is, those to whom the vaccine is currently available. 

Jabs, masks and children

Although Covid-19 vaccines are yet to be authorized for children under 12, Cabezas has not ruled out the possibility of this happening this school year. Whether or not the rollout campaign is extended to this age group, however, will also depend on factors such as the prevalence of the virus.

Face mask use continues to be obligatory in schools for children over the age of 6. The Catalan health department's scientific advisory committee is currently assessing the effects of this measure and will send its findings to the Spanish government as there is currently a Spain-wide restriction enforcing their use.