Vaccination rates lagging, Delta cases increasing, before July 4

ORLANDO, Florida – Cases of the Delta variant are increasing rapidly in the United States and around the world, dominating new infections in the United Kingdom, South Africa and causing a new round of lockdowns across Australia.

Labeled a “variant of concern” by the CDC and the World Health Organization, the Delta variant now accounts for 20% of all new cases of COVID in the United States. wearing and social distancing.

At Barnett Park in Orlando, a slow but steady crowd is pouring in for the COVID-19 vaccine. Orlando resident Asselin Gray got ready for her shot.

“It was good, I feel good,” Gray said.

Protecting yourself from COVID-19 was an easy decision to make, she said.

“I’m getting old, you see,” Gray said. “At the moment, I am 80 years old.”

CDC reports that 153 million Americans are now fully immunized. That’s 54% of the population aged 12 and over.

As vaccination rates are far from the 70 to 85% required for herd immunity, new cases of the Delta variant are increasing across the country. It’s very contagious, with new cases doubling every two weeks. And now the Delta variant represents one in five new cases reported nationally.

Internal medicine specialist Dr Aftab Khan said the situation was likely to get worse.

“In the southern states we have fewer vaccinations and this variant can cause a further increase in unvaccinated people,” Khan said.

Orange County reported 12 cases of the Delta variant last week, including two cases in fully vaccinated individuals. As of Monday, that number was 23. The county says a recent death from COVID is also suspected to be due to the Delta variant of COVID.

The World Health Organization is now urging even fully vaccinated people to wear masks to slow the spread of the variant.

“Get vaccinated and continue to wear masks, especially when you go to indoor spaces, and continue to keep your social distance with others because you don’t know who is infected and who is not,” he said. Khan said. “And even if you are fully vaccinated, you can still pass this variant on to other immunocompromised or vulnerable people or to children.”

As other countries like Australia look to strict shutdowns again, Khan said that is unlikely to happen here due to current vaccination rates.

“I don’t think we will reach the same level as a year ago or in winter, but it’s still a formidable enemy that we have to worry about,” he said.

Khan said the best way to slow its spread is for more people to step up and get shot.

Gray said it was a relief for her now that she had received her vaccine, already helping her feel more protected.

“Yeah, I think so because I travel too and I want to protect myself to make sure I’m on the safe side,” Gray said.

As the July 4 weekend approaches, medics are recommending people attend indoor gatherings to wear masks and social distancing to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the Delta variant. In addition to this, you need to know more about it.