BISMARCK, ND – As the Delta variant of COVID-19 has recently emerged as the dominate strain in the United States, Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health (BBPH) reminds the public of the importance of utilizing layered prevention measures to reduce the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
COVID-19, including the Delta variant, is present and spreading in North Dakota communities. Individuals who are not feeling well are encouraged to stay home and seek out a COVID-19 testing opportunity.
Preventive measures such as testing, isolating, masking and social distancing have worked to slow the spread of the virus. Individuals should continue to practice these measures and follow CDC guidelines to prevent infection. While these practices continue to be important, vaccines are the best defense against COVID-19.
By getting vaccinated individuals are protecting not only themselves, but their communities. They are also playing a critical role in stopping COVID-19 from mutating to other stronger, more dangerous variants.
“Getting vaccinated is the way out of this pandemic,” said BBPH Director, Renae Moch. “The Delta variant has the potential to be very harmful to the unvaccinated. Virtually all hospitalizations and deaths continue to be in the unvaccinated.”
The Delta variant or B.1.617.2 strain is a variant that has been cited as the “fittest and fastest” variant of COVID-19 to date. It has been found to spread twice as easily and quickly than other variants. Some studies suggest that the Delta variant also increases an individual’s risk of having severe outcomes after COVID-19 infection.
“Of particular concern with the Delta variant is that it appears this variant is affecting younger populations,” said Kirby Kruger, disease control and forensic pathology section chief for the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH). “This variant, with its increased infectiousness coupled with a large percentage of people not vaccinated, may lead to more cases of COVID-19, increased hospitalizations and potentially more deaths.”
With children under the age of 12 not yet able to get vaccinated, it is important for those who are able to be vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. People who are not vaccinated and cannot be vaccinated are recommended to mask and social distance in public.
Early research shows the vaccines available in the United States Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, do offer protection against the Delta variant. On the contrary, people who have not been fully vaccinated, or those who are only partially vaccinated (one dose of Pfizer or Moderna), are at highest risk of being infected by the Delta variant.
“Given that this variant is much more highly transmissible, it may be playing a role in the increased infection rate observed within the state in the last 14 days. Of particular concern is the increase in hospitalization rate of younger adults aged 20 to 29, which ranged from 0.4% in March 2021 to 3.4% of cases in June 2021. Additionally, COVID-19 cases are about eight times more prevalent in unvaccinated individuals compared to those who are fully vaccinated in North Dakota,” said Grace Njau, special projects & health analytics director for the NDDoH.
Individuals can contact Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health at (701) 355-1540 for questions related to COVID-19, testing locations, care information or for assistance in scheduling a vaccine appointment.