The Delta Variant, Breakthrough Cases, and More: How to Protect Yourself and Others in a Pandemic
When spring came after over a year of an isolating, grief-filled, and horrific pandemic, we began to feel the first rays of hope. The phases for those eligible to get the vaccine finally reached the general public, and for a brief and shining moment, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe, we thought, just maybe.
And then came the delta variant.
There has been a lot of misinformation spread and misleading news titles that have caused unnecessary fear. However, it’s important to research and gather information about this variant, how transmissible it is, and how best to protect yourself regarding what your personal vaccination status is.
Below is some brief information and facts regarding the delta variant, as confirmed by the CDC and other such health organizations with links to articles on more information.
You might be wondering what is a variant? Why are we so concerned about this and not any other mutations? Well, WebMD says that it is important for public health officials to watch “certain coronavirus mutations and variants that may be more contagious or deadly than the original strain.” Therefore, the coronavirus is constantly mutating and changing in order to survive and variants begin to emerge “when a strain has one or more mutations that differ from others.”
The CDC and WHO monitor these strains in order to make sure there isn't a rise in COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. These variants are categorized in three types:
“Variant of interest”: which could cause an outbreak, but not widespread throughout the country.
“Variant of concern”: which shows increased transmission and causes concern for a more serious disease
“Variant of high consequence”: which makes vaccines and treatments less likely to work.
So far, the United States has not classified any variants as “high consequence,” but a variety has been labeled as a “variant of concern,” including delta.
The truth:
Yes, the delta variant is more transmissible than COVID-19.
Why? Delta has more protein spikes which makes it easier to infect human cells. Because of how contagious it is to other people, it is now considered to be the dominant strain in the United States.
Symptoms are similar to the original coronavirus such as persistent cough, headache, fever, and sore throat.
People who are not vaccinated are at the most risk of contracting the delta variant.
Areas with low vaccination rates such as the Midwest and southern states have seen a high jump of cases compared to areas with higher rates. Kids and younger adults are also now more susceptible.
There have been breakthrough cases for those who are fully vaccinated, but seem to be rare. According to Public Health England, “two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine appeared to be 88% effective against disease and 96% effective against hospitalization with the delta variant.”
There have been rumors of needing a booster shot in order for better protection against delta and other variants that emerge.
Currently, the delta variant makes up 52% of coronavirus cases in the United States and is present in all 50 states. In states with lower vaccination rates like Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, it makes up 80% of new cases.
Let’s talk about breakthrough cases for fully vaccinated people.
They are not the cause of the surge in COVID cases. Unvaccinated people make up the majority of cases and hospitalizations.
In Provincetown, Massachusetts, studies showed that three-quarters of people infected were fully vaccinated. As cases increase nationwide, it’s easy to think that vaccinated people are still at risk. This is not necessarily true. Headlines emphasized that three-fourths tested positive, but failed to emphasize that among the more than 900 cases tracked as a result of the outbreak, just seven led to hospitalization. Most importantly, there were zero deaths. If this was 2020, when there were no vaccines, closer to 90 people would have been hospitalized and about nine would have died, based on hospitalization and death rates over the last year. The problem is that people might read just the headline and not read further into the article where it shows promising results of vaccines protecting you from hospitalization and serious symptoms.
The CDC has also recommended people to wear masks in hot spots, regardless of their vaccination status. I think it’s important to remember that masks are worn to not only protect yourself, but to protect others. Although I am fully vaccinated, I will be wearing masks indoors regardless of whether the business or CDC requires it. This news from the CDC has shaken some people, especially those who are conflicted about whether or not to get the vaccine. We are still in a pandemic. Although vaccinated people are safer, it’s still important to remember to keep protecting ourselves and our neighbors.
So for fully vaccinated people, I say this: the chances of you contracting Covid and the delta variant is slim depending on where you live and the vaccine status of your area. But it’s essential that you keep wearing your mask in indoor areas, social distancing, and washing your hands since we are still in the middle of a pandemic.
The vaccine is effective. It protects you, your family, your friends, and your loved ones. All over social media I have seen an outpouring of stories shared from medical professionals who saw unvaccinated people die from COVID and wish desperately they had gotten their vaccine beforehand. Go get vaccinated if you haven’t already, keep washing your hands, social distance if able, and remember that we are still in a pandemic. Hope is still here and everyday it gets a little closer the more people get vaccinated.
