Delta variant recalibrating COVID-pandemic challenges for public health and schools By Jordan Conestabile
The World Health Organization recently classified the Delta variant as the “most transmissible of the COVID variants identified so far.” This strand of the virus is spreading 2.5 times faster in areas where the population has not been fully vaccinated, accounting for 83% of COVID cases. This month there was a 50% increase in the number cases reported in the U.S., prompting the Central Disease Contro (CDC)l to reinstate mask advisories for vaccinated people under certain circusmtances.
Originally detected in India, the Delta variant spread quickly on a global basis. There is great concern among the medical community about the impact on African nations, where the availability of vaccines is limited. Europe has already found that Delta infections produced a hospitalization rate twice that of earlier variants. In the U.S., African Americans and Hispanics are most vulnerable, given higher percentages of unvaccinated people among these demographic groups.
Photo from NIH
Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and others are now pressing the CDC for answers of when boosters will be ready and available for use, especially for individuals who considered high risk. The CDC contends the best time to consider boosters will be when the effectiveness of the current vaccines drops to a level of 80% or below.
The CDC has also recommended the schools mandate the wearing of masks this fall. This was met with varied responses at the state level. Several states are considering related health guidelines and/or legislation, ranging from requiring masks to prohibiting them.
Meanwhile, scientists are watching for even greater threats in the form of new variants.
What is currently clear is that fully vaccinated are at less risk of being infected and those who are not are significantly more susceptible to COVID infection. Currently, half of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated.
Jordan Conestabile is a Political Science student at Utica College
