The Delta and Kappa coronavirus variants have surged in Italy in the past month, accounting for nearly 17 per cent of total Covid-19 cases, the national health institute ISS said.

The Delta variant, originally detected in India, was becoming dominant, it said.

“Cases of the Kappa and Delta variants ... rose from 4.2pc in May to 16.8pc in June”, based on data extracted on June 21, the institute said.

“Our epidemiological monitoring shows a rapidly evolving picture that confirms that also in our country, as in the rest of Europe, the Delta variant of the virus is becoming dominant,” Anna Teresa Palamara, director of ISS Infectious Diseases Department, said in a statement.