Prevent Summer Spike

Here are a few facts about the Delta variant:

1. The Delta variant is the most dominant strain in the U.S. According to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Delta variant was the cause of more than 80% of new U.S. COVID-19 cases at the end of July.
2. The Delta variant is more contagious and spreading fast. It is spreading faster than earlier variants, with one person infecting more people upon exposure than the earlier variants. Travel and gatherings — especially without herd immunity from vaccination and without safety measures in place — give the virus free rein to mutate.
3. People who are not vaccinated are at greater risk. Vaccination is the best protection we have against any strain of COVID-19 — especially the two-dose vaccines. We are in a race against virus mutations. The more we allow it to spread, the more we are allowing it to mutate. Younger, unvaccinated people are experiencing more symptomatic disease than they were with earlier variants, so don't assume that you are safe because you are young and healthy. Countries with more than 70% vaccine coverage that are seeing a rise in infections from the Delta variant are not seeing a rise in deaths, offering clear evidence of the protective benefit from being fully vaccinated.
4. The Delta variant could halt the progress we've made, changing what the fall and winter look like, including the school year. We are not out of the woods yet, even though it may feel like it as people are out and about. A new surge with a more infectious variant, like the Delta variant, could potentially cause a serious uptick in cases, long-term illness, and even deaths. We must be vigilant. 

What can we do?

Here are things to do now to take action: 

• Get vaccinated. Vaccination is our best protection. We need more people to get vaccinated to prevent the virus from mutating beyond the protection of the vaccines. Less than 40% of Georgians are vaccinated – that's not enough. We need to reach 70-80%+ in order to stop the virus from spreading and mutating here. Data shows that the two-dose mRNA (Pfizer and Moderna) vaccines are more than 88% effective against the Delta variant, while the single-dose versions of the vaccine are not as effective in protecting against the Delta variant. 
• Practice safety measures. It can protect you from contracting or spreading the virus. While people who are vaccinated now have a layer of protection, don't let down your guard. Practice the 3 Ws, especially if you are not fully vaccinated. People who are immunocompromised and or who have comorbidities that contribute to worse outcomes from COVID-19 infection are advised at this time to continue to practice social distancing, avoid crowds indoors, and wear a mask even if fully vaccinated. 
• Get tested. If you have any symptoms or a known or suspected exposure, get tested for COVID-19. 

For more information about COVID, the vaccine, or where to get vaccinated, visit Wellstar's COVID-19 resource page or the CDC website.