According to the CDC, the Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than early forms of the COVID-19 virus. The Delta variant may also cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated people.
The following are some facts that you may not know about the latest Delta variant of COVID-19.
- The Delta variant is two to three times more transmissible than earlier variants of SARS-CoV.
- Delta is associated with higher viral loads. Data suggests Delta also is associated with more hospitalizations and deaths than earlier variants.
- Genomic sequencing (variant typing) shows Delta has rapidly become the dominant strain in SC.
- While COVID occurs more frequently in unvaccinated individuals, infections can occur in those who have been vaccinated.
- Vaccinated individuals are eight times less likely to get infected and 25 times less likely to require hospitalization or die than those who are unvaccinated
- Those who are vaccinated can contract and spread the Delta variant, which is a change from prior variants and why masking indoors is recommended for all, even those who are vaccinated.
- Vaccination is the best way to protect our communities. The longer it takes to get our vaccination rates higher, the more likely we are to see more variants.
To learn more about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine visit the CDC’s website. Ready to get the vaccine? Visit one of our Express Care locations.
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