Delta variant blamed for increase in local COVID cases; Shelby County Calls for Vaccination

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. The seven-day average of reported COVID-19 cases per day in Shelby County has more than doubled in recent days, and local health officials blame the Delta variant of the virus.

That is why they urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible. All available vaccines offer a high level of protection against the new form of the virus, officials said.

“The unvaccinated are the most at risk for severe Delta variant disease,” said Dr. Bruce Randolph of the Shelby County Department of Health.

Mid-South vaccination rates low, Delta variant continues to spread

The Department of Health released these data showing the increase in cases.

The 7-day average of COVID-19 cases has more than doubled in the past six days, from 26 on July 1, 2021 to 59 on July 6, 2021. That number was 65 on Thursday. The virus reproduction rate (Rt) is currently 1.22, the highest since June 25, 2020. The 7-day average positivity rate is now 4.5%, from 2.9% on July 1 . A total of 58 Delta variant cases have been identified in Shelby County as of July 7, 2021, while another 26 cases are believed to be Delta variant cases. SCHD predicted that the Delta variant could become the dominant strain in Shelby County by the end of July.

Of the cases known or suspected to be a Delta variant, the department said less than 10% are breakthrough cases, meaning they occur in a person who has been fully vaccinated. And in most of these cases, the person suffers only mild symptoms that do not require hospitalization.

The Delta variant is 50 to 60% more transmissible than the original strain of COVID-19, the department said.

COVID-19 vaccination is free and widely available at pharmacies, clinics, and public vaccination sites. The full list of vaccination sites is available at https://covid19.memphistn.gov/. The Department of Health will also offer COVID-19 vaccinations to adults and children 12 and older at 814 Jefferson Avenue on Saturday July 10 and Saturday July 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

As of Thursday, more than 391,000 people in Shelby County had been vaccinated against COVID-19, nearly 56% of the way towards the county’s goal of vaccinating 700,000 people. On average, 791 people per day receive vaccines.

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