COVID-19 Update: Delta Variant, A Surge in Cases, and Mask Mandate Back In Order

The Delta variant of COVID-19 has caused another spike in cases, and it’s starting to cause a surge in cases. The vaccine is not 100% immune to the Alpha strain, the Delta variant is an even lower percentage. This means that people with the vaccine can still contract the virus. However, with the vaccine, the likely hood of your case being severe and hospitalizing you is fairly low. Delta is starting to take over, is it going to cause us to wear masks again? Or what about another possible shut down?

As of July 15, Los Angeles County in California is once again requiring masks to be worn indoors at all times, even if you are fully vaccinated. We have seen states completely lift their mask mandate such as Washington. LA made this decision due to the surge in cases that the Delta variant has brought it. USA Today states in an article about the mask mandate in LA county, “The news out of California comes as the U.S. is once again reporting more than 1,000 new coronavirus infections every hour, according to a USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins University data for the week ending Wednesday.” COVID is certainly at a rising concern at this point, and is it possible that we go into another shut down? I would think that would only be possible in the case that hospitalization rates return to what they once were, and thankfully hospitals can manage themselves again after being swarmed during the peak of COVID.

USA Today states, “The nation is averaging about 25,300 new cases per day, more than double the rate of the week of June 22. The total rose in 48 states – all but Iowa and South Dakota. Still, the totals represent only about 10% of the numbers reported in the U.S. in its worst week in January. ” This certainly is a relief, and a large reason it’s unlikely we go into another shutdown. The cases have reportedly increased in 48 states.

Certainly, it’s a step backwards in terms of progress fighting this virus. But, we are still far from what we used to be.