Will Variants Cause Another Lockdown?

While the vaccines are working enough, the Delta variant spreads faster than the other strains of SARS-CoV-2 and will become a bigger problem if vaccination rates do not improve. The unfortunate reality is that, yes, there could be another lockdown if the coronavirus continues to spread and another variant emerges.

The majority of cases of COVID-19 are now concentrated within the unvaccinated population. In the United States, 61.3% of people over 12 years old are fully vaccinated as of August 30th, 2021. To reach herd immunity, scientists are now estimating it will take 85-90% to completely stop coronavirus transmission to reach herd immunity. If you are not yet vaccinated, our team at Mira can help you find an appointment today.

Why the Delta Variant is of Concern

The main concern regarding the Delta variant is that immunized people can get infected and transmit the virus. Immunization appears to reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, but vaccinated people who acquire the Delta variant can still put others at risk. Those who are at greatest risk of complications from the Delta variant include:

• Those who are not immunized
• Children under 12 who cannot be immunized yet
• People who are immunocompromised and may not have developed sufficient antibodies from vaccination

To note: Scientists are currently evaluating vaccine efficacy and waning COVID-19 immunity. It is thought that sufficient protection from vaccination may “wear off” 6-8 months after vaccination. This is why many countries have begun administering booster shots.

Why the Delta Variant is Different From Other COVID-19 Variants

The Delta variant is of concern because it is more contagious. The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 sheds more virus, known as a higher viral load, than the other variants. This means that the probability of exposing someone to the virus when talking, breathing, eating, etc., is much higher. 

It also takes less time to transmit and people infected with the Delta variant test positive more quickly (shorter incubation period) after exposure. The Delta variant has an incubation period of four days, while other strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have an incubation period of six days.

The combination of a shorter incubation period plus a higher viral load explains Delta’s increased transmissibility. This increased transmissibility creates more opportunities to spread the virus and infect others. PHICOR, a public health research group, estimates more than 40 percent of people in the U.S. may not be protected against the Delta variant.

Where People are Most at Risk For Contracting the Delta Variant

You are most at risk for contracting the Delta variant in areas with low rates of vaccination. The New York Times recently published a map of where people are most vulnerable to the Delta variant.