A highly contagious coronavirus variant first detected in India is now in Ohio, raising fears of a new wave of infection.The B.1.617.2 strain, better known as the Delta variant, is popping up across the country.Currently, it has been found only in small numbers in Ohio. But health officials say that will almost certainly change as it continues to spread. “It is more contagious than the original strain, though it’s not likely to be more severe. The good news is that the vaccines that we have appear to protect people against even the Delta variant,” Ohio Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff,Speaking during a Thursday morning press briefing, Vanderhoff said the variant currently accounts for more than 6% of all infections in the United States.Although that number is relatively low, health officials say the speed of its spread is worrying. About one month ago, the strain accounted for around 1% of virus samples. “Out west, those numbers are even higher. So far here in Ohio, though, we’re really only seeing a fraction of a percent, in terms of our total mix,” Vanderhoff said.“But I would fully expect that that would rise. If you look at the U.K., it is appearing to rapidly overtake B117.”The variant was the dominant strain not only in India but also in the United Kingdom, health officials said. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser to the White House, has urged local and national officials to reenergize vaccination efforts, saying the transmissibility of the variant should prompt any eligible American to get vaccinated quickly.“Bottom line, is vaccination. It’s the way out of the pandemic. It’s our best protection, including against the Delta variant," Vanderhoff said.About 5.4 million people in Ohio have received at least one shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or about 46% of the population. About 4.8 million people, or 41% of the population, have completed the process.
A highly contagious coronavirus variant first detected in India is now in Ohio, raising fears of a new wave of infection.
The B.1.617.2 strain, better known as the Delta variant, is popping up across the country.
Currently, it has been found only in small numbers in Ohio. But health officials say that will almost certainly change as it continues to spread.
“It is more contagious than the original strain, though it’s not likely to be more severe. The good news is that the vaccines that we have appear to protect people against even the Delta variant,” Ohio Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff,
Speaking during a Thursday morning press briefing, Vanderhoff said the variant currently accounts for more than 6% of all infections in the United States.
Although that number is relatively low, health officials say the speed of its spread is worrying. About one month ago, the strain accounted for around 1% of virus samples.
“Out west, those numbers are even higher. So far here in Ohio, though, we’re really only seeing a fraction of a percent, in terms of our total mix,” Vanderhoff said.
“But I would fully expect that that would rise. If you look at the U.K., it is appearing to rapidly overtake B117.”
The variant was the dominant strain not only in India but also in the United Kingdom, health officials said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser to the White House, has urged local and national officials to reenergize vaccination efforts, saying the transmissibility of the variant should prompt any eligible American to get vaccinated quickly.
“Bottom line, is vaccination. It’s the way out of the pandemic. It’s our best protection, including against the Delta variant," Vanderhoff said.
About 5.4 million people in Ohio have received at least one shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or about 46% of the population. About 4.8 million people, or 41% of the population, have completed the process.
Source link
