Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Delta Variant 'Probably' Headed Toward Dominant Status, Could Spur Fall Surge
Politico: CDC Director: Delta Variant To ‘Probably’ Become Dominant Strain In U.S.
The very contagious and possibly more harmful Delta variant of the coronavirus “probably” will become the dominant strain in the United States in the coming months, Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Friday on "Good Morning America." “It's more transmissible than the Alpha variant or U.K. variant that we have here. We saw that quickly become the dominant strain in a period of one or two months,” Walensky said. “I anticipate that is going to be what happens with the Delta strain here.” (Leonard, 6/18)
The Washington Post: U.S. Coronavirus Infections This Fall Could Reach 20 Percent Of Last Winter’s Peak
The transmission of the more contagious delta variant in the United States could spur a fall surge in coronavirus infections if only 75 percent of the country’s eligible population is vaccinated, former Food and Drug Administration chief Scott Gottlieb said Sunday. Although Gottlieb cited one projection forecasting an increase in infections reaching as high as 20 percent of last winter’s peak, he called that an “aggressive estimate,” saying he doesn’t “think it’ll be quite that dire.” But he said states with low vaccination rates already are showing a concerning rise in cases with the spreading of delta, which is up to 60 percent more contagious than earlier variants. (Whalen, 6/20)
The New York Times: With Vaccination Goal In Doubt, Biden Warns Of Variant’s Threat
With the United States unlikely to reach his self-imposed deadline of having 70 percent of adults partly vaccinated against the coronavirus by July 4, President Biden on Friday stepped up his drive for Americans to get their shots, warning that those who decline risk becoming infected by a highly contagious and potentially deadly variant. In an afternoon appearance at the White House, Mr. Biden avoided mentioning the 70 percent target that he set in early May and instead trumpeted a different milestone: 300 million shots in his first 150 days in office. But even as he hailed the vaccination campaign’s success, he sounded a somber note about the worrisome Delta variant, which is spreading in states with low vaccination rates. (Gay Stolberg and Weiland, 6/18)
Axios: Biden: 300M COVID-19 Shots Administered In United States
President Biden announced Friday that 300 million coronavirus shots have been administered in the United States in the last 150 days. More than 175 million Americans have gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot and infection rates, as well as deaths, have decreased by more than 90%, according to the White House. (Doherty, 6/18)
CNN: The States At Risk Of An Aggressive And More Dangerous Covid-19 Variant
Some states are making great strides in vaccinating their residents against Covid-19, but the ones that are not may soon be contending with a more transmissible variant, experts say. About 45.1% of the US population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, CDC data showed, and in 16 states and Washington, DC, that proportion is up to half. But some states like -- Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Wyoming -- have fully vaccinated less than 35% of residents. (Holcombe, 6/21)
CIDRAP: Only 21% Of Americans Worried About Contracting COVID-19
A new poll shows only 21% of Americans fear contracting COVID-19 from someone they know well, the lowest number since the pandemic began, according to the Associated Press–NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Only 25% are concerned that lifted restrictions will lead to more infections in their community. About 40% of those polled said their communities were handling reopening at a correct pace, with 27% thinking it has been done too slowly and 34% feeling restrictions were lifted too hastily. (Soucheray, 6/18)
