COVID-19 Update & The Delta Variant

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    Eight months into 2021 and more than a year since COVID-19 hit the United States, COVID cases have continued to increase at an alarming rate due to the Delta variant of COVID-19. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the "7-day moving average of cases was around 12,000" in June; by the end of the July, the "7-day moving average of cases reached over 60,000" cases. As of August 2021, there have been 38,341,339 cases and 631,440 deaths. Just as communities started to return to normalcy, COVID struck again stronger than before. To continue tracking COVID data, the CDC has a Data Tracker with the most recent information.

The Delta Variant

    During the summer of 2021, the Delta variant of COVID-19 became a new threat that came along with the virus. It is currently "the predominant variant" of the virus. The Delta variant is:

  • "more than 2x as contagious as previous variants"
  •  capable of causing "more severe illness than previous variants in unvaccinated people"
    While vaccinated people with the Delta variant can spread the virus, they spread it for a shorter period of time in comparison with those who are unvaccinated. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy spoke about the urgency of getting vaccinated and how vaccines are the key against this highly contagious variant; watch his video above to learn more.





Vaccinations in the U.S.
    
    From the start of the COVID-19 vaccines to August 23, 2021, over 363 million doses have been distributed in the United States. These vaccines were approved by the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization (EUA). According to the CDC, the vaccines have gone through "the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history." Just recently, on August 23, the FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. It is now the only COVID vaccine that has full approval and not just EUA. Below is safety information straight from the CDC & the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:


    Once you've become fully vaccinated, you don't need to wear a mask in outdoor settings, unless COVID cases are high in that area. You can look at this state and county specific guide for numbers in your area. While vaccinated people can begin their normal activities, it is still important to follow local guidance and stay aware of the virus. The "Fully Vaccinated" page of the CDC offers more information in regards to this specific topic.

There has also been discussions on a third booster shot for some individuals. HHS made a statement in regard to this:

    "We have developed a plan to begin offering these booster shots this fall subject to FDA conducting an independent evaluation and determination of the safety and effectiveness of a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issuing booster dose recommendations based on a thorough review of the evidence."



U.S. COVID-19 Recovery

    Although cases are rising and the Delta variant is a growing threat, there has been great advancements in terms of COVID recovery in the world. President Biden has committed to leading international efforts in terms of vaccines. The U.S. has provided more than "60 million vaccine doses to over 50 countries." USAID has provided "billions to fight COVID-19 in more than 120 countries. They have:
  • Provided Emergency Relief
  • Strengthened Health Systems
  • Supported Vaccine Readiness
  • Improved Public Health Education
  • Protected Healthcare Workers


More Resources

If you experience anything strange with the vaccine, you can report it on VAERS.

For anything in regards to the COVID vaccine, follow this link.

To stay up to date with COVID, the CDC has a tracker with all this information.

Follow the U.S.'s response to COVID-19 on a global level here.


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