COVID: Delta variant cases 'doubling every two weeks' in U.S.

[OhioChick]

June 14, 2021 at 1:33 p.m.

(CNN) — The Delta variant is on its way to becoming the dominant strain of coronavirus in the US, raising concerns that outbreaks could hit unvaccinated people this fall.

And a new study shows the Delta variant is associated with almost double the risk of hospitalization compared to the Alpha variant.

The Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant, which is “stickier” and more contagious than the original strain of novel coronavirus, became the dominant strain in the US this spring.

But health experts worry the Alpha variant could be trumped by the Delta variant, which appears to be even more transmissible and may cause more severe illness for those not vaccinated.

More: https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/06/14/covid-delta-variant-cases-doubling-every-two-weeks-in-u-s/

Snip ~ "While 52.4% of Americans have received at least one dose of vaccine, only 43.4% have been fully vaccinated, according to data Sunday from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

We're no where near herd immunity.

[Hugin]

1. This is why I worry about vaccinated people catching the COVID virus.

In the presence of antibodies the virus could mutate to reach a viral load sufficient to reproduce and spread faster than a person's immune system can respond.

Having no certifications or qualifications on the subject, I don't have a clue how long such a window is present. I'm guessing 24 to 48 hours. It most likely varies considerably between individuals.

[OhioChick]

3. My son and I caught Covid....

We were both fully vaccinated and now are long-haulers.

Not fun for many of us that survive this.

[wackadoo wabbit]

9. Which vaccine had you gotten?

I'm so sorry. That really sucks.

[OhioChick]

11. Thank you for your kindness...

My one son and I received the Pfizer vaccination, my other son received Moderna.

The two of us that are long-haulers received the Pfizer (me) and my son that received the Moderna.

[secondwind]

2. I thought we were at 60% with one shot.

This number is changing rapidly, as folks are getting their second doses, etc.

Am happy to say that I am one of those, having flown to MIA last week. They were vaccinating right there at the airport hotel. Pfizer. Flew back a day later.

[Deminpenn]

19. 60% or so of eligible (12 and up),

about half of TOTAL US population.

[napi21]

4. I heard a Doc on MSNBC today say that those who were vaccinated didn't have to worry, the

problem is with those who aren't! Some States have a good % of their residents already vaccinated, but there are still quite a few people who haven't gotten their shots, & some who don't intend to. That Doc verified that the current vaccines are effective against the Delta variant. I'm going to be very mean & say that anybody who won't get vaccinated deserves what they get.

[BigmanPigman]

5. That's not mean at all.

I think most rational people would agree with you.

[OhioChick]

6. Interesting since despite my son and I getting vaccinated, we still contracted Covid n/t

[moonscape]

7. How were your symptoms? Hopefully mild. n/t

[OhioChick]

8. Unfortunately not.....

We're both long haulers and see specialists on a regular basis.

On some days, I wish I never survived this virus.

Thanks for asking and your concern.

[druidity33]

12. Are you part of a study?

I know there are a few that the CDC is collecting data for. Maybe a long-haul study in the works. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I hear there are a few good support groups on social media for long Covid. Mind telling us which vaccine you got? Keep fighting it OhioChick... we still need you!

[OhioChick]

15. Thank you for your kindness....

You post brought tears to my eyes.

I'm not involved in any long-haul studies, although I have connected with many other long-haulers online. (It's sad, there are so many of us)

I received the Pfizer and my son (who is suffering much worse) received the Moderna.

I would give up my life at this point if my son could return to full health, in a heartbeat.

I'm trying to take one day at a time and am trying to fight. Thank you again for your kindness shown to me.

[moonscape]

16. Dang. You mean you made it through last

year and only got covid after being fully vaccinated?

Assume Delta variant since it’s a rough ride? So very sorry to hear this.

[OhioChick]

17. We've both been suffering for months now...

I think it's safe to say that the Delta variant isn't responsible for our illnesses, since that variant is just beginning to make it's rounds in the US.

Thank you, kindly.

[napi21]

10. I've heard the vaccine will prevent you from needing hospitalization if you do get the virus.

Apparently some people could still get the virus after being vaccinated. There are supposed to be only a few who will contract the virus though. Most people won't get it at all.

[OhioChick]

13. That may be the case for "some" but not for "all"

It's not as "rare" as being "reported."

The last group of patients that my son lost within the past two weeks were healthy, between the ages of 25-35 and fully vaccinated. (Keep in mind that we're not even surging yet with the Delta variant)

[LisaL]

20. This virus is so weird.

I had an elderly relative with all kinds of pre-existing conditions testing positive, that was nearly asymptomatic (not fully faxxed yet at the time of infection). And yet young, healthy, fully vaxxed people died?
Go figure.

[Doremus]

25. And yet most news reports tell us that patients in hospitals

are universally not vaccinated. That has also been the anecdotal experience of my friend's daughter who is an ICU nurse. She was assigned exclusively to the Covid ward until they dismantled it a few months ago. Now Covid patients are placed in general ICU. There are a handful in her hospital and it's been her experience that all of them, as well as all of those already discharged, have been unvaccinated.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

[Ms. Toad]

21. The initial studies were 95% reduction in serious illness.

That still leaves a hefty chunk of people who get serious illnesses. Out of 100 people with serious illnesses - 5 of them wlll have been vaccinated.

The more recent studies (which have evaluated effectivenes at preventing disease) indicate that it prevents serious illness and death by preventing infection - BUT- once you get the disease your chance of it being severe or deadly are about the same as if you weren't vaccinated at all.

People citing a miniscule chance of death (1) don't understand statistics (in an unvaccinated crowd, it's not as small as they believe - and we don't have enough data about the variants yet to even guess at effectiveness) and (2) seem only to care about death - not the devastation a severe case leaves in its wake.

[Ms. Toad]

22. And who cares about the 15% who arre not yet even eligible to be vaccinated.

After all, they're just kids.

And it is way too soon to know how effective the vaccines will be against the Delta variant. But - the way things are going we'll probably find out pretty quickly. Hope the guess is correct that it will be effective - but I'm not going to risk my life on it.

AND - more importantly - we ought not be risking our children's lives on it. Any system that unmasks on the honor code is assinine. The maskholes have already proven they are not honorable.

[PA Democrat]

23. I have recently noticed many unmasked children obviously younger than 12

in grocery stores with their maskless parents.

I can't imagine being that negligent in protecting my child's health. I doubt the maskless parents are vaccinated either given their disregard for their kids safety. Of course this is in a county that went for Trump.

[Ms. Toad]

24. Same here. n/t

[Tree Lady]

26. We are spending this weekend with my daughter n law

Husband and son who is toddler, all vaccinated except little one. They said they aren't taking him inside anywhere only eat at a restaurant outside.

I don't blame them at all. In my town all of a sudden most are not wearing a mask and many have kids with them.

[Voltaire2]

14. Depends where you are.

Some regions are quite close or at herd immunity levels. Also you should add the already infected to the vaccinated numbers. Your risk of getting covid again is very low.

While the delta variant rates are rising, overall rates were declining drastically and have currently plateaued at a fairly low level. The situation is not nearly as dire as the headline seems to imply.

[OhioChick]

18. Thank you for your overall kindness and compassion n/t