The herd immunity target to combat Covid-19 has been raised to 85% from 70% of the population by the health authorities, Health Minister announced in Parliament today.

He explained that this is due to the Delta variant, which currently spreads far more rapidly than other variants, and not to cause the same devastation as it has elsewhere. Dr Fearne added that 70% may not be enough against this very contagious variant which infects 2 out of every 3 people.

Dr Fearne went on to say that at the present time 73% of the population are fully vaccinated, with 81.5% having had a first dose.

He added that anyone who has not been vaccinated will be at a greater risk of being infected by the Delta variant and appealed for anyone who has not been vaccinated, including children aged 12-15 to take up the invitation to do so.

This Delta variant has led to many countries having to re-introduce restrictive measures to try and control it, including a lockdowns, Dr Fearne said.

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