The Delta variant of COVID-19 is impacting communities throughout the world. Places that thought the virus was over for them are being affected by the variant. The CDC has found many trends consistent with the Delta variant that we will talk about here. First and foremost, it’s imperative to keep in mind is how contagious it is.
AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst providers COVID-19 testing for all patients. Visit our center today if you being to experience symptoms of COVID-19.
Contagiousness of Delta Variant
According to the CDC, the Delta variant is 2x more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19 and other variants. Additionally, the Delta variant has shown more severe symptoms than different variants. Patients and studies in Canada and Scotland have found patients are more likely to be hospitalized with the Delta variant than any others.
Spreading the Variant
Those who are unvaccinated are at the highest risk of getting and spreading the Delta variant. Those who are vaccinated but are symptomatic can also transmit the virus to others. It’s unclear at this time whether asymptomatic patients can transmit the virus, however.
Breakthrough infections (infections of vaccinated people) have shown symptoms for less time than before. This means vaccinated people are infectious for less time and less likely to spread the variant than unvaccinated people.
Efficacy of Vaccines
Not all vaccines are 100% effective in preventing any illness. However, all approved COVID-19 vaccines effectively reduce symptoms and lower the risk of hospitalization and death. Vaccinated people are less likely to experience severe symptoms or require hospitalization when experiencing breakthrough infections.
Wearing Masks
The CDC recommends wearing masks in indoor spaces in areas that are experiencing high levels of infection. As vaccines are still being worked on, our communities need to continue to do what we can to stop the spread.
The vaccines are not perfect, and breakthrough infections will occur. While the number of vaccinated individuals getting sick will be less than unvaccinated, thousands of vaccinated people will still become infected. Communities with low vaccination levels are contributing to the surge in cases of the Delta variant. Due to this fact, there is always an increased risk of even more contagious variants coming out.
If you are not vaccinated, find a vaccine location near you to get vaccinated today. Do your part to help stop the spread and stay home when sick, or wear masks indoors where required.
