Majority of US adults concerned about delta variant: poll

A majority of U.S. adults are concerned about the delta coronavirus variant but have not significantly changed their behavior because of it, according to the Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index.

The poll shows 84 percent of Americans have at least heard of the delta variant but only 1 in 10 being very familiar with the variant that has led to a global spike in cases.

Overall, 72 percent of U.S. adults are concerned about the variant, with 36 percent extremely concerned and 36 percent somewhat concerned.

The delta variant has increased cases around the world, with some countries putting new coronavirus restrictions in response. 

In Australia, Sydney is beginning a two-week lockdown due to the surge and is placing limits on public gatherings and mandating masks indoors.

Russia hit a new record for daily coronavirus deaths in part due to the delta variant, which spreads faster than other variants. 

Despite the variant putting some other countries back on lockdown, the U.S. is almost completely back to normal and citizens are not changing their behavior.

Only 41 percent of adults believe Fourth of July celebrations pose a high or moderate risk of coronavirus transmission. Last Fourth of July, 78 percent believed the celebrations would pose a high risk for the virus, according to the poll.

The number of people who said they wear their masks all or some of the time when outside their home also dropped to 55 percent, the lowest number since the Index began in April 2020.

The delta variant is in the U.S. and has caused a surge in cases among unvaccinated individuals, but the vaccines have been shown to give protection against the new variant.