A couple of days ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) listed the “Delta” variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 as a “variant of concern.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday said that Delta, a highly transmissible COVID-19 variant first identified in India and currently sweeping through the United Kingdom, now makes up at least 10% of all US cases. On May 22, the variant had made up only 2.7% of cases.The CDC also now designated Delta as a variant of concern, which means the agency officially recognizes that the variant may carry a risk of more severe illness and transmissibility. In addition to Delta, the CDC has noted five other variants of concern.The rapid rise of the variant in the United Kingdom—where it now accounts for 90% of cases—has slowed that nation’s reopening efforts by 4 or 5 weeks.
In a press conference at the White House on Friday, Biden said that the Delta variant of COVID-19 won’t trigger new lockdowns in the U.S., but he is strongly encouraging vaccinations to prevent infections.
“No, it’s not a lockdown, but some areas will be very hurt,” Biden said at the White House as he celebrated the administration of 300 million vaccine shots during his first 150 days in office.“Where people have gotten two shots, that Delta variant is highly unlikely to result in anything other than, I mean, it’s — the existing vaccines are very effective,” he said.
However, he wouldn’t rule it out entirely, either.
President Joe Biden said Friday that it is “unlikely” the coronavirus’s Delta variant will force the U.S. into another lockdown but hesitated to rule it out….”People getting seriously ill and being hospitalized due to COVID-19 are those that have not been fully vaccinated. The new variant will leave unvaccinated people even more vulnerable than they are,” Biden said. “This is a serious concern, especially because of what experts are calling the Delta variant. It’s a variant that is more easily transmissible, potentially deadlier and particularly dangerous for young people.”The president added that “the best way to protect yourself against these variants” is to get fully vaccinated.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY