Facts about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Delta Variant

COVID-19 infection rates, including those within an entire household, continue to increase. It is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics that everyone, including those 2 years of age and older, wear a face mask, physically distance and wash hands regularly to reduce the spread of the virus. It is also recommended that everyone who can get an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine should get one, which will help protect you and your loved ones from serious illness and death related to COVID-19.

6 facts to know about COVID-19 and the Delta variant

1. The COVID-19 Delta variant spreads more easily than other virus strains. It may be nearly 2x as contagious as previous variants.
2. Unvaccinated people are most at-risk. While vaccinated people may get COVID-19, data is showing that FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines help prevent serious illness and hospitalization. Those at highest risk of getting seriously ill from the virus, and spreading the virus, are those who aren’t vaccinated for COVID-19.
3. People, including younger people, are getting sicker faster. With more older people vaccinated, younger people are getting seriously ill with the virus.
4. COVID-19 will continue to mutate. The best way to slow the development of new variants is to protect yourself by wearing a mask and getting the COVID-19 vaccine as it becomes available to you.
5. More than 1 in 4 who get COVID-19 will have symptoms even after 4 weeks. While most people get over COVID-19 within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID-19 conditions that continue 4 weeks or more after infection. Several recent studies show that between 27-33% of patients who get COVID-19 and were not hospitalized developed some lasting symptoms, no matter their age, prior health or severity of their infection. While much is still unknown, the CDC reports these “long-haul” conditions can come to life in a variety of ways, ranging from difficulty breathing, fatigue, joint pain or mood changes to even more serious issues like multi-organ damage or autoimmune conditions.
6. With COVID-19 and flu spreading this fall, vaccines are the best protection. Symptoms of COVID-19, flu and colds can act similarly. Testing may be needed to confirm which virus you have. Vaccination for COVID-19 and flu, face masks, physical distancing and staying home when you aren’t feeling well are important in slowing the spread of these viruses.