Delta Variant of Covid-19 raising concerns across communities as a new school year is set to begin
The nation continues to battle against the coronavirus pandemic two years later from the original identification of Covid-19. Since the discovery of coronavirus, there have been several different variants come up including the most recent Delta variant.
“The variants may differ in certain characteristics like how severe the disease could be, which age group is affected, or how quickly they spread, but they all cause the same disease,” Rohith Saravanan, M.D. Chief Operating Officer/Medical Officer, said.
“In the case of Delta, the only difference from the original variant is in how quickly it spreads from person to person. It still causes the same disease; same treatment plans and the prognosis remains the same.”
According to Dr. Saravanan, the Covid-19 variant makes no difference to the individual that is sick, but it does make a difference in the population health that more people get sick in a shorter period of time because of quick spread. The precautions to combat against the Delta variant are the same, but even more important to help slow the increased rate of transmission.
“Delta variant spreads so quickly, it is even more important to take those precautions. The only additional thing we can do now, compared to previous surges is we can now get vaccinated, and that is one more thing we can do to prevent illness and prevent the spread,” Dr. Saravanan said.
At this time, there is not a specific test to determine which variant of coronavirus, but only a determining test to identify if one has coronavirus. Washing hands frequently with warm water and soap, use hand sanitizer when available, and social distance as much as possible, are a few of the precautions that can still be implemented to help slow the spread of the different coronavirus variants.
The vaccine, according to Dr. Saravanan, does appear to be helping in the slowing of transmission of the different variants of coronavirus. The vaccine may not fully prevent disease, but they absolutely decrease the severity of the disease for the vaccinated individuals. Statistics are showing less vaccinated people are being hospitalized and even fewer are needing ICU services.
“We want to encourage the community and local businesses to encourage the use of masks and social distancing, and readily offer hand hygiene products and make it accessible,” he said. “Encourage and educate the community on vaccination. Families should continue to vaccinated and keep precautions in place as the new school year begins.”
As there continue to remain many unknowns related to the coronavirus pandemic, especially with the new Delta strain, the CDC has issued information addressing several myths that have begun to pop up over the past several weeks. One of the myths include the question of the vaccine’s ability to alter DNA. According to the CDC, the Covid-19 vaccine does not change or interact with a person’s DNA. The vaccines deliver instructions to the cells to start building protection against the virus that causes Covid-19, however, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell where DNA is kept.
In addition, the CDC Myths and Facts sheet also addressed the question of the vaccine being mandated by the CDC. According to the information provided, the federal government does not mandate vaccination for people; the CDC does not maintain or monitor a person’s vaccination records.