MSN/WLWT: COVID-19 delta variant in Ohio: What doctors want you to know
UC expert says the more aggressive variant spreads more easily and makes people sicker
Just as restrictions related to COVID-19 are being relaxed across the country, the medical community is keeping a close watch on a new variant of the virus. The delta variant is creating cause for concern. In a story produced by WLWT-TV and posted by MSN.com, Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine provided some background on the variant.
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine/Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand
"It is a much more aggressive variant, it is transmitted more easily, it makes people sicker," said Fichtenbaum.
There is not a lot of delta variant around here or throughout Ohio, at least not yet. But there is growing concern about it.
"It is likely to have a survival advantage over the other circulating variants," Fichtenbaum said.
According to the CDC, a little over three weeks ago, the delta variant accounted for 2.7% of the new cases in this country. It's now at 9.9% and climbing.
People are packing the bars and restaurants again, going to ball games and health restrictions are growing distant in our rearview mirrors.
"It may be that fewer people will be affected by this overall compared to when the pandemic first started. But if you're one of those fewer people, it matters to you," Fichtenbaum said.
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