Ashish Jha is "worried" about the United States. Here's why.

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Coronavirus “Help an unvaccinated friend get the shot.” Photo by Joseph Brizioso/AFP

Dr Ashish Jha said Monday that he is concerned about the potential impact of the delta variable on the United States.

The highly contagious coronavirus variant, which was first detected in India and is also known as B.1.617.2, has caused a slight increase in cases in the UK which could delay those responsible for lifting coronavirus restrictions in that country. This strain is also giving rise to new infections in southeastern China, where doctors report patients are getting sick more quickly, The New York Times reports.

Last weekend, the delta variant accounted for 6 percent of all coronavirus infections in the United States

Jha wrote on Twitter: “I’m concerned about the delta variable.” “Why? Most infectious species by far. Caused havoc in India. Cases up in UK. Growing fast in the US.”

The dean of the Brown University School of Public Health said vaccination is key to protecting against the strain.

“Help an unvaccinated friend get the shot,” he said.

I’m worried about the delta variable

why?

Most infectious species by far

Caused chaos in India

Rising cases in the UK

It is growing rapidly in the United States

So what do we do?

take the vaccine

Help an unvaccinated friend get the shot

High vaccination rates are how we fight the delta variant

– Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH (@ashishkjha) June 14, 2021

Jha is not the only public health leader concerned about the Delta strain.

Dr. Bob Wachter, president of the University of California, San Francisco, explained in a long thread on Twitter why this alternative makes him “nervous” and the argument about why more people should take the threat seriously.

He wrote: “If you are not vaccinated: I will be afraid.” “Maybe even too scared.”

The doctor noted that while some places have vaccination rates in excess of 70 percent, about 50 percent of the country over the age of 12 is still not immunized. In some states, the percentage of eligible and unvaccinated individuals is even higher, at about two-thirds.

The doctor said that although vaccinated individuals do not need to worry about the delta variant, especially if they live in a community with high levels of vaccinations, unvaccinated individuals are at risk of contracting COVID-19 if they are exposed.

While the chance of unvaccinated individuals being exposed is lower in communities where more people are being vaccinated, Wachter said he’s afraid of what might happen in the fall and winter.

He wrote “Reason: Delta”.

According to Wachter, the delta variant appears to be more contagious than the alpha variant or strain B.1.1.7, which was first discovered in the UK.

“This means that the same exposure that a person would have had last year is now twice as likely to have contracted Covid,” Wachter said. Second, it looks more risky, although we need more data to be sure. Third – and this is the big problem – it appears to be somewhat immuno-resistant. Before getting too upset about this, it’s worth noting that the data is reassuring, in a way: The effectiveness of two doses of Pfizer is 88 percent, just a tiny bit below the 95 percent we’re used to, and it’s still pretty impressive. . “

What’s worrisome, according to the doctor, is that the data indicates that the first dose of Pfizer, which is typically 80 percent protective, only provides about 33 percent protection against the delta variant.

“What to do? For someone who has been vaccinated, see delta% in your area (currently ~6% in the US and on the rise) and COVID cases in your community,” Wachter wrote. “If you see more cases and more deltas, I will take some precautions (especially if you are at high risk) – at least wear an inner mask (if you stop; btw, I haven’t) in some places with unmasked/unmasked people. If Don’t be alarmed, get your shots! You may rest assured that the local case rate is low, but don’t be alarmed: It may be because of the summer as well as the still-low delta portion. Both will change.”

Wachter said the US was “calmed down by the amazing efficacy of vaccines” and because previous variants weren’t “that bad.”

As it stands, the doctor said he now expects to see “significant” spikes in the decline in the population with low vaccination rates due to stress.

Wachter stressed that COVID-19 is not yesterday’s news.

“Delta should sound the alarm and spur action,” he said. “We need the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fully license our vaccines, to ramp up the search for boosters and faster approvals for children. We also need > outreach to non-browsers (including information on Delta) and vaccine mandates in high-risk settings (Healthcare and Homes Care of the elderly). “

Read the full thread below:

This topic by Bob_Wachter on a great delta variant

It’s worth your time so please read it

The delta variable also makes me a little concerned about the state of things in the US الولايات

highly contagious type

A third of adults have not yet been vaccinated

Not cool https://t.co/lo6xplFhoT

– Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH (@ashishkjha) June 14, 2021

3/ The current US situation is good. Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are declining rapidly, in large part because of our great vaccines. In San Francisco – with 70% of people over the age of 12 – we are almost in a post-Covid world. Everyone is open, including (Tuesday) CA. It’s okay… for now.