Delta Variant

It's summer! Hope everyone had a good 4th of July. Things are beginning to feel a little more "normal". The mask mandate has lifted and there seem to be more social gatherings. 

So to answer a few common questions I've been asked lately... 

What is the delta variant that everyone is talking about? 

It is also known as lineage B.1.617.2. It is a version of Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 that has evolved or mutated over time. This particular variant was first detected in India December 2020 and in the US March 2021. 

What is the big deal about it? 

This variant is more contagious than other variants. It potentially can cause another Covid surge in the US. 

Does the vaccine protect against it? 

Yes.  

Which states have the variant? 

There are 5 states where it is spreading the fastest: Missouri, Arkansas, Nevada, Colorado, and Utah. 

Is Covid over yet? 

The number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the US are relatively low right now but there are some hot spots where vaccination rates are low. So... not quite over yet... we'll have to see what happens...