UNMC doctor explains what you need to know

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – In an effort to show the impact of the delta variant of COVID-19, the UNMC on Thursday unveiled animated simulations used as part of its work with training federal first responders on how the virus infects people.

Dr James Lawler, co-executive director of the Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, spoke about the COVID-19 B.1.617.2 variant also known as the delta variant, which experts say is spreading easier. person-to-person alpha variant first detected in the United States in December 2020.

“I think people should be very concerned about the trends that we are seeing,” he said.

Dr Lawler said Thursday he recommended the wearing of face masks in indoor public places, including schools. Stating that global trends indicate that the delta variant will continue to spread in the local community over the next few weeks, he suggested that the same protocols put in place in the fall are now warranted.

If the virus follows similar patterns here as it has elsewhere, “we could be in six more weeks of growth – that doesn’t take into account that we’re about to open schools,” he said. -he declares.

“If we open schools without children with face masks ….

“These deaths will no longer be among 85-year-olds. These deaths occur in people aged 45, ”he said.

Dr Lawler said a resurgence of COVID-19 and other serious respiratory viruses, like RSV and parainfluenza, could start to eat away at scarce pediatric intensive care resources.

“I am very concerned about what will happen with the capacity of pediatric hospitals over the next few weeks,” he said.

Dr Lawler said he believes the trends being seen in other states and overseas are an indication of what lies ahead here.

“I fear this is the worst phase of the pandemic for much of the United States, especially states like ours that have low vaccination rates,” he said.

Vaccinations are not perfect, he said, but “we are seeing a dramatic reduction in serious infections and hospitalizations among fully vaccinated people.”

Dr Lawler said vaccinations also have a “very good safety profile” for pregnant women, and that it is important for pregnant women to get vaccinated “because their complication rate for COVID-19 is so high. higher than non-pregnant women ”.

The recent discovery that the delta variant is also capable of being transmitted by fully vaccinated people has led the CDC to re-recommend the wearing of masks in indoor public places in areas that experience “heavy or high transmission” in order to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

NMC also unveiled animated infographics on Thursday to illustrate how the delta variant spreads, how COVID-19 vaccinations work against it, and how COVID-19 affects the lungs. The iEXCEL team at Davis Global Center Medical Center created the animation with Dr. Peter Angeletti from the Nebraska Center for Virology at UNL.

The spiky red proteins are what connects to healthy cells through cell receptors, acting like a lock and a key.

“What we are seeing with the delta variant is that there are changes in the spike protein that allow the virus to bind more tightly to its cell receptor and enter cells more easily,” said Dr. Lawler.

But when the antibodies from the COVID-19 vaccinations are in the system, the virus and the healthy cell have a much harder time locking together, preventing the virus from replicating.

Dr Lawler said he hopes the visualizations will help the community recognize how easy it can be to protect themselves, warning that if hospitals see another increase, healthcare workers may not be able to protect you.

Dr Lawler also said he was concerned about the mental state of healthcare workers as the delta variant escalates.

“It’s going to be tough,” he said.

Dr Lawler said it would be difficult to provide good care for those who might flood their doors in the weeks and months to come, as many healthcare workers are already exhausted.

Watch Thursday’s press conference

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