How much should we be worried about the Delta variant? University health expert has answers to the latest FAQs

SAINT ANTHONY – Delta variant has become the dominant strain of COVID-19 and accounts for 83% of all cases in the United States

With the recent surge in hospitalizations in San Antonio, coupled with concern about the Delta variant, University of Health’s chief medical officer Dr. Bryan Alsip has answered a series of frequently asked questions.

He notes that one of the concerns with the Delta variant is that it appears to be more transmissible, which means it can spread faster.

Wearing masks, social distancing, good hygiene and being in well-ventilated areas are all great options to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, according to Alsip.

“But the most important thing we can do to prevent infections is to become fully immunized,” he said.

Alsip said just a month ago that the number of hospital patients in San Antonio was around 120 and that number has since climbed to around 400.

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“It’s a significant increase in a very short period of time,” he said.

People hospitalized, both locally and nationally, are almost exclusively unvaccinated, Alsip said.

One of the questions asked of Alsip was whether a vaccinated person who has contracted COVID has the same level of risk of spreading the virus to others as a person not vaccinated with COVID?

His response revealed good news – not only that the vaccines are proving to be very effective – “but there is data to suggest that those who are vaccinated carry fewer virus particles in their airways, making them less likely to spread the virus. disease to someone else, even if they have no symptoms.

Although there have been “breakthrough infections” of COVID-19 among those vaccinated, Dr Aslip said vaccines are still “incredibly effective” in preventing the most serious COVID complications, including hospitalizations and illnesses. death.

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He said that while research is still being done on whether a particular vaccine provides superior protection against the Delta variant, the Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are all effective.

“Children don’t seem to be at greater risk for Delta, but they are at risk,” Alsip said. “Even more worrying, children under 12 simply because they are not eligible to be vaccinated.”

Alsip noted that everyone reacts to vaccines differently, but that the “most important way to protect someone from infection” is to get the vaccine.

You can watch Dr. Alsip’s full interview in the video player at the top of this article.

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