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The United States reached another sobering milestone in the Covid-19 pandemic, with 600,000 lives lost to the disease on Tuesday, data from Johns Hopkins University showed.
While daily deaths have decreased in recent months, hundreds of Americans still die every day from the disease which is largely vaccine preventable.
Over the past week, the average number of Covid-19 deaths each day was 343, according to data from Johns Hopkins on Monday.
It’s about five times higher than the average daily number of people killed in car crashes.
As the coronavirus continues to spread across the world, it has mutated into more transmissible strains – including the Alpha (B.1.1.7) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants.
Both strains are now considered “worrisome variantsBy the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This means that there is “evidence of increased transmissibility, more serious illness (eg, increased hospitalizations or deaths), significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during a previous infection or vaccination, reduced efficacy of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures ”, CDC says.
The Alpha variant has become the dominant strain in the United States. But Delta variant cases are on the rise.
Recent studies suggest the Delta variant is not only more contagious – he can also cause more serious illness than the Alpha variant.
A Scottish study published on Monday found the Delta variant was associated with approximately double the risk of hospitalization compared to the Alpha variant.
Get vaccinated can avoid these variants. But experts say it’s essential to get the vaccine as early as possible – before the virus mutates into strains of more concern.
This is the “crucial time” to get vaccinated
“I am extremely concerned because the Delta variant is so aggressive in terms of transmission,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development.
“If we remember the first time we talked about the British variant – the B.1.1.7 variant across the British Isles which started in the south-east of England – we were horrified how aggressive it was infect people. It was a much higher level of transmission, ”Hotez said Tuesday.
“This one, the Delta, is even higher than that. And so, essentially what is happening is that anyone who is unvaccinated is now at a very high risk of getting this Delta variant. “
Hotez said now is the time for eligible Americans – those aged 12 and older – to get the vaccine.
“This is the time for everyone to get vaccinated, because even if you want to get vaccinated tomorrow or your teenage child tomorrow, it will take another five to six weeks to get those two doses of the vaccine, and then another week after. . ,” he said.
More contagious variants = more people need to be vaccinated, doctor says
“When a virus is more contagious, you have to have a higher percentage of the population that is protected – immune – if you want to stop the spread,” said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.
“This virus will be circulating in the world for a long time. “
And the longer a virus spreads, the more likely it is to generate even more contagious variants, Offit said.
But most Americans are not fully vaccinated, which makes them vulnerable to Alpha and Delta variants.
As of Tuesday, 52.6% of Americans had received at least one dose of the vaccine and 43.9% were fully vaccinated, according to CDC data.
Offit said by winter, when the virus is likely to reappear, the United States will need to increase the number of fully vaccinated people to 80% or more to protect the population.
The good news: While the spread of more contagious variants may be less inhibited by vaccines, the level of protection still appears to be high, Offit said.
“I think the vaccines will keep you out of the hospital, keep you out of intensive care and keep you from dying,” he said.
Those who have had Covid-19 should get vaccinated to be ‘bulletproof’, researcher says
People infected with Covid-19 appear to maintain their immune response for at least a year, according to a study published in the journal Nature.
Researchers reported that memory B cells in the human immune system continue to generate protection against Covid-19 for at least a year.
Studies have shown that people who have recovered from coronavirus infections may be vulnerable to newer variants of the virus. But vaccines, especially mRNA vaccines such as those made by Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna, generate a strong response that protects people against these variants.
An extra boost with a vaccine can extend the protection enjoyed by cured patients, the researchers said.
“The data suggests that immunity in recovering people will be very long lasting and that recovering people who receive the available mRNA vaccines will produce antibodies and memory B cells that should protect against circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2. “the researchers wrote.
“The antibodies produced by memory cells evolved with increased magnitude and potency,” said molecular immunologist Michel Nussenzweig of Rockefeller University, who worked on the study.
Nussenzweig said research should encourage people who had previously had Covid-19 to get vaccinated if they haven’t already. “Yes, they should get the vaccine,” he said. “And if they do, they should be bulletproof for SARS-CoV-2.”
The first state to be completely closed reopens
California was the first state to issue a stay-at-home order during the pandemic. Today, 15 months later, it reopens completely.
Starting Tuesday, capacity limits and social distancing requirements for all businesses will be lifted.
Large events, such as concerts, conventions, and sports, will still have certain restrictions – including vaccine check requirements for those attending indoor events with 5,000 or more people and recommendations for live events. open air with more than 10,000 participants.
About 72% of Californians are at least partially vaccinated and about 47% of state residents are fully vaccinated, Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Monday.
There will be no so-called vaccination passport, but Newsom plans to announce an electronic version of the state’s immunization cards later this week.
California has invested $ 116.5 million in immunization incentives, including gift cards and cash prizes. On Tuesday, state officials will hold a raffle in which 10 vaccinated Californians will each win a prize of $ 1.5 million.
Fully vaccinated people can do without a mask in most situations, but those who are not vaccinated will still need to wear masks in indoor public places.
And masks will be mandatory for everyone in some places, including on public transport, inside hospitals and inside prisons.
Companies can require masks at their discretion, and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is set to adopt new rules for face coverings in the workplace.
Judge rules in favor of Houston hospital demanding that employees be vaccinated
But as this is not expected before the end of June, Newsom said he would sign a decree later this week “to remove any ambiguity.”
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