Delta strain of coronavirus has been detected in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Health Ministry, the State Agency on Mandatory Health Medical Insurance, and the Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB) said in a joint statement.

"The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which has lasted for more than a year, is a major public health problem worldwide and creates severe social and economic issues. The latest variants of coronavirus mutations are of serious concern throughout the world. As part of the measures taken to control the epidemiological situation in our country, the Genetic Diagnostics Center under the National Center for Hematology and Transfusion regularly studies genetic variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

As a result of research, B.1.617 (Delta) strain was found in 31 samples taken from persons who arrived from abroad, and variant B.1.1.7 (20 Alpha V1, UK) was detected in 9 samples.

An analysis of the results of studies carried out in the world and in our country once again showed that the most effective way to protect against new and rapidly spreading dangerous virus variants is vaccination. Today we owe the stable epidemiological situation in our country to the vaccination. We once again call on all our citizens to get vaccinated without delay.

We must not forget that in addition to vaccination, maintaining physical distance, using masks, and hand hygiene are the only ways to protect ourselves from illness and return to normal life in the world and Azerbaijan, regardless of the virus strain.

Let's get vaccinated to see the end of the pandemic and take a healthy step into the future!", reads the joint statement.