Dr. Rachel Levine.Photo: Joe Hermitt/The Patriot-News via AP
Withthe Delta variantnow accounting for about 10% of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S., the Centers of Disease Control officially said Tuesday that it’s a “variant of concern.” That’s because the strain is proving to be particularly infectious and potentially more severe, saysDr. Rachel Levine, the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health.
“There is evidence that it is more transmissible than the original virus and other variants, and there is evidence that it might be more virulent, which means it makes people sicker and can lead to more hospitalizations,” Levine tells PEOPLE.
The variant,which was first found in India, could become the dominant strain in the U.S. in the next few months. But it could be slowed if more Americans step up and get vaccinated, Levine says.
“The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been shown to be effective in preventing the Delta variant, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is being studied as we speak, but there’s every reason to think that it’ll be effective,” she says. “So states and counties and communities that are more immunized should be protected from a significant community spread of this variant. But states and counties and communities that have very low immunization rates are vulnerable to spread ofthis variant. And it is something that we’re concerned about.”
“We’re really trying to make it as easy as possible for people to get these very safe, very effective and very important vaccines,” she says.
She also notes that fully vaccinated people can feel assured that the vaccine is effective against the variant, and they can “pretty much live their lives and don’t have to limit themselves.”
RELATED VIDEO: Vaccinated Americans Can Now Go Without Masks in Most Indoor and Outdoor Places, CDC Says
And for those who are still hesitant, Levine advises that they talk to trusted health care providers or family members, and consider that “over 310 million doses of these vaccines have been given in the United States, and countless millions more have been given internationally.”
“So these vaccines are safe, they are effective, and especially with this new Delta variant, they’re very important.”
Levine urges people to recognize that “the virus has shown us that we are all interconnected.”
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
