The UK is close to "getting on top of the virus." Still, restrictions on travel and socializing should stay in place for now if COVID-19 is to be defeated, argues Lawrence Young, a virologist from the University of Warwick.

There have been 35,204 new cases of the Delta variant over the last week in the UK, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 111,157.

The Delta variant now comprises 96 percent of sequenced cases, Public Health England said, adding that vaccines were still effective at protecting against the risk of hospitalization.

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Cases are rising, but deaths are still limited, primarily due to the vaccination distribution among older members of society, explains Young. 

"The majority [of cases] are in younger individuals who have not been vaccinated or only received one vaccine. We know that overall full vaccination, that's two doses of the vaccine, is very protective against this Delta variant."

The concern for Young is that the Delta variant spreads across the European Union (EU), which has so far avoided the surge recorded in the UK. 

"We also know that across the whole of the EU, only about three in 10 people are fully vaccinated. So I think there is real cause for concern. And I can fully understand the need to try and limit the spread by not bringing people into mainland Europe who has the possibility of being infected."

European fears of the Delta variant were encapsulated by Malta's response to the UK adding it to its 'green list,' allowing holidaymakers to avoid quarantine upon return. The island reacted by imposing its own quarantine requirements for unvaccinated UK citizens. 

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has suggested that the EU impose similar rules on all British tourists. However, there has been pushback from Spain, a country whose economy has previously relied heavily upon UK tourists.