What You Need to Know About the COVID-19 Delta Variant
COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations are, unfortunately, on the rise again.
The much-more contagious delta variant of COVID-19 is estimated to be about 60% more contagious than the alpha variant which was twice as contagious as the original novel coronavirus.
Additionally, studies have shown that antibodies in the vaccinated are about four times less effective at combating the delta variant, making breakthrough infections more likely.
How Concerned Should Fully Vaccinated People Be About the Delta Variant?
According to information from Mayo Clinic, however, breakthrough cases should not all be lumped together because they’re not all the same.
They separate them into three categories:
- The first group of breakthrough infections includes fully vaccinated people who contract COVID-19 and have no symptoms. As the article explains, these types of infections are a sign of the vaccines working. because they weren't necessarily supposed to prevent 100% of infection; they're intended to prevent severe illness and hospitalization.
- The second group includes individuals who contract COVID and develop mild to moderate symtpoms. Since all of the COVID vaccines were expected to be about 90% effective, we should expect to see about 10% of people contract COVID and have symptoms.
- The third group of breakthrough infections includes fully vaccinated people who become severely ill, and the majority of these cases are, as one would predict, in individuals who are immunocompromised. These individuals' immune systems could not generate as strong of a response to vaccination as those with normally functioning immune systems. As a result, the protection they gain from vaccination isn't as strong or long-lasting.
Despite breakthrough cases, vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19, serious illness, and hospitalization.
Do Vaccinated People Need to Wear a Mask and Social Distance?
Continuing to wear a mask and social distance will still protect you from contracting a breakthrough case of COVID-19. Additionally, it will help prevent you from unknowingly spreading an asymptomatic infection that you could potentially have to anyone near you who is vaccinated or unvaccinated.
So, although you are at a lower risk of developing a serious illness, wearing a mask and social distancing continues to protect those around you.
Ask a Doctor About COVID, Get Vaccinated, or Schedule a COVID Test
To learn more about the COVID-19 delta variant, to get a vaccine, or to find out how to get tested for COVID-19 if you’ve been having symptoms, we encourage you to contact the Gulf Coast Health Center location nearest you today.
