As COVID 19 infections and deaths rise in the United States, the unvaccinated least afraid of the Delta variant

The number of new coronavirus cases rose in all 50 states nationwide for the fourth day in a row, in numbers based on seven-day averages. This type of increase in infections has not been observed since the peak in spring 2020, which in the northern hemisphere extends from March to June. Saturday 31,281 new cases have been reported in the country, with 22,080 people hospitalized and 272 deaths.

In some cases, the situation is more worrying than in others. At Rhode Island, for example, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, the number of infections tripled from week to week. In Maine and Vermont, two of the states with the highest number of vaccinations, the numbers were close to tripling. In Massachusetts, Alaska and Kentucky, the number doubled last week. While in Minnesota, Florida and Texas, the numbers were about to double.

We always knew that with the vaccine, people could continue to be infected, but with milder cases. And while medical authorities continue to report that this is the case, there are fears that with the expansion of the new Delta variant, deaths from the virus are also increasing. After the lowest peak since the start of the pandemic, reached two weeks ago, the number of deaths from COVID 19 has increased by 24.7% in the United States. At present, the Delta variant is the most common in the country.

Against this background, a high percentage of the population in the United States has chosen not to be vaccinated. For months, the vaccine has been available to anyone who wants it, provided they are over 12 years old. However, to date, only 49.1 percent of the population has received full immunity (i.e. two doses if necessary).

According to a survey by the consulting firm YouGov, 90 percent of those who decide not to get the vaccine do so because they fear the consequences of the vaccine more than the effects of the virus if they get it.

Chain SCS conducted his own investigation to try to understand the behavior of Americans vis-à-vis the vaccine. The unvaccinated are the least afraid of the new Delta variant.

48% of those who were not vaccinated, or at least not fully vaccinated, responded that they were concerned about the Delta variant. However, among those who are fully vaccinated, 72% responded out of fear of the new variant of the virus, even knowing they are at less risk by having antibodies.

When unvaccinated when asked why they weren’t vaccinated in the same survey, 53% said they were concerned about side effects. Of these, 50 percent said they didn’t trust the federal government, while 45 percent said they didn’t believe in science.

Additionally, 68 percent of Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

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