‘Variant Of Concern’: Delta Now Responsible For 10% Of US Cases
As worries grow among health officials and scientists over the delta variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reclassifies it as evidence mounts that the more transmissible strain could take serious hold in the U.S. Doctors urge Americans to get vaccinated now.
USA Today:
Delta Variant Accounts For 10% Of US Cases As CDC Signals Concerns
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have now classified the delta variant of the coronavirus, first discovered in India, as a “variant of "concern" as it now accounts for 10% of cases in the U.S. The classification comes as the variant has increased transmissibility and potential reduction in post-vaccine immunity. The variant previously raged in India and is currently making its way through the U.K., prompting a delay in reopening. "It's doubling every two weeks," former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said on "Face the Nation" Tuesday. "That doesn't mean that we're going to see a sharp uptick in infections, but it does mean that this is going to take over," he added. "And I think the risk is really to the fall that this could spike a new epidemic heading into the fall." (Aspegren, 6/16)
The New York Times:
The C.D.C. Says The Delta Virus Variant Is Now A ‘Variant Of Concern.’
Federal health officials have classified the Delta variant of the coronavirus now circulating in the United States as a “variant of concern,” sounding the alarm because it spreads rapidly and may partially sidestep certain antibody treatments. Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday emphasized that the authorized vaccines are highly effective against the variant, however, and urged all Americans who have not yet been inoculated to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. (Rabin, 6/16)
What else you need to know about the delta variant —
The Hill:
Delta Variant Now In 74 Countries And Spreading Fast
The highly transmissible coronavirus variant first discovered in India has now reached 74 countries, contributing to outbreaks in the United States, United Kingdom and China. Experts warn the Delta variant could soon become the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the U.S., as the mutation accounts for roughly 10 percent of new cases. Former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gotlieb told CBS on Sunday that people who contract this form of the virus “have higher viral loads” for long periods of time and “shed more of the virus.” (Barnes, 6/15)
CNN:
Cases Of Delta Variant Are 'Rapidly Increasing' In US, Expert Says
As US states lift more coronavirus restrictions, experts are worried people who aren't fully vaccinated could contribute to further spread of the virus. The Delta variant, first reported in India, currently accounts for nearly 10% of coronavirus cases in the US, according to the CDC. With concerns it could become the dominant strain soon, medical experts are underscoring the importance of full vaccination. (Elamroussi, 6/16)
The Guardian:
The Delta Variant Is Spreading. What Does It Mean For The US?
Scientists in the United States are anxiously watching the Delta variant of Covid-19, as it spreads through an unevenly vaccinated American public and an economy that is rapidly reopening. The Delta variant, first identified as B.1.617.2 in India, is believed to be more transmissible than both the original strain of Covid-19 and the Alpha strain, first identified in the United Kingdom. “We’ve moved [Delta] to the top of our list of variants to study,” said Andrew Pekosz, a professor in Johns Hopkins University’s molecular microbiology and immunology department, and an expert in how viruses interact with the respiratory system. (Glenza, 6/16)
