Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
International

CDC team: 'War has changed' as delta variant dangers emerge

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Jul, 2021 10:29 AM
  • CDC team: 'War has changed' as delta variant dangers emerge

New evidence showing the delta variant is as contagious as chickenpox and may be more dangerous than other versions has prompted U.S. health officials to consider changing advice on how the nation fights the coronavirus, internal documents show.

Recommending masks for everyone and requiring vaccines for doctors and other health workers are among measures the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering, according to internal documents obtained by the Washington Post.

The documents appear to be talking points for CDC staff to use in explaining the dangers of the delta variant and “breakthrough″ infections that can occur after vaccination. Noted under communications: "Acknowledge the war has changed."

In recommending that vaccinated people resume wearing masks indoors in virus hot spots, the CDC this week said that new evidence shows that breakthrough infections may be as transmissible as those in unvaccinated people. They cited a large recent outbreak among vaccinated individuals in the Cape Cod town of Provincetown, Massachusetts, among others, for the change.

As the documents note, COVID-19 vaccines are still highly effective at preventing serious illness and death. The CDC has always expected some breakthrough infections but has struggled with how to explain them to the public.

The documents point out that the delta variant, first detected in India, causes infections that are more contagious than the common cold, flu, smallpox and Ebola virus, and is as infectious as highly contagious chickenpox.

The internal documents also cite studies from Canada, Singapore and Scotland showing that the delta variant may pose a greater risk for hospitalization, intensive care treatment and death than the alpha variant, first detected in the United Kingdom.

Since January, people who got infected after vaccination make up an increasing portion of hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths among COVID-19 patients, according to the documents. That trend coincides with the spread of the delta variant.

But the CDC emphasizes that breakthrough infections are still uncommon.

MORE International ARTICLES

Aus Researchers Developing 'Pandemic Drones' To Detect COVID-19

Aus Researchers Developing 'Pandemic Drones' To Detect COVID-19
A team from the University of South Australia (UniSA), led by an Indian-origin researcher, have begun developing a drone to monitor patients with infectious respiratory conditions including the novel coronavirus.

Aus Researchers Developing 'Pandemic Drones' To Detect COVID-19

US Sikh Coalition Publishes Covid-19 Guidelines In Punjabi

The California-based Sikh Coalition has prepared COVID-19 guidelines in Punjabi to enable the about 500,000 Sikhs living in America to better understand the pandemic, a media report said.

US Sikh Coalition Publishes Covid-19 Guidelines In Punjabi

Covid-19: US Congress Passes Largest Relief Package Worth About $2 Trillion In History

Covid-19: US Congress Passes Largest  Relief Package Worth About $2 Trillion In History
Displaying uncharacteristic political solidarity, the US Congress has voted the largest ever economic stimulus package worth about $2 trillion to rescue the nation from the clutches of the Covid-19 pandemic.    

Covid-19: US Congress Passes Largest Relief Package Worth About $2 Trillion In History

UK Honours Medical Workers In Nationwide Round Of Applause

Thousands of people across the UK opened their doors and windows to applaud medical workers of the country's National Health Services (NHS) dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, a media report said on Friday.

UK Honours Medical Workers In Nationwide Round Of Applause

Harry-Meghan Set Up Permanent Home In California: Report

The UK's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have left Canada amid the coronavirus pandemic and moved permanently to California, according to a media report.    

Harry-Meghan Set Up Permanent Home In California: Report

UN: Asylum Rights Of Sikhs, Hindus Fleeing Afghanistan Attacks 'Must Be Respected'

Asked at his briefing on Thursday specifically if Sikhs and Hindus who are are under attack there should be given asylum in India, he said, "The asylum regime, the refugee regime must be respected the world over."

UN: Asylum Rights Of Sikhs, Hindus Fleeing Afghanistan Attacks 'Must Be Respected'