Delta brings change
The Delta variant (first observed in India) is now responsible for over 92% of new cases in the U.S. Kaiser Health News reports that Delta contains mutations that make it about twice as contagious as Alpha (aka, B1117 or the U.K. variant). These mutations also reduce the average incubation period from 6 days to 4 days. However, this new strain is not a whole new virus. All the vaccines approved for use in the U.S. offer excellent protection against all existing Covid-19 strains, including Delta.
Remember that vaccines were never intended to offer absolute immunity from the disease, but to offer substantial protection from its worst outcomes. This is exactly what we’re seeing in practice: 90% of cases, and 95% of hospitalizations and deaths, are amongst unvaccinated people.
Further, an ongoing study of 100,000 people in the U.K. indicates that vaccinated people are three times less likely than unvaccinated people to test positive for Covid-19. The U.K. study also showed that fully vaccinated people had lower viral loads and were less likely to transmit the virus to others compared with unvaccinated people. We know this runs counter to the findings of the outbreak investigation in Cape Cod that prompted the recent change in C.D.C. recommendations. That’s not to say the C.D.C. is wrong or the recommendations are misinformed… just that we have more to learn. We do know this: the Delta variant is more infectious than previous strains, even perhaps among the fully vaccinated.
Since the U.K. was the first highly vaccinated country to get hit with the Delta variant, it may be a useful guide for setting expectations. The U.K. vaccination rate exceeds our own; over 73% of U.K. adults are fully vaccinated compared with just 64.4% of adults in Oregon. Delta in the U.K. led to a major wave of infections, much like we are currently seeing in Oregon. And despite the U.K. reopening its economy at the peak of that wave, new cases have fallen sharply in recent weeks. The reason for that drop is not fully understood, but the most obvious explanation is that vaccines work. Some vaccinated people will get mildly or even moderately sick, but fully vaccinated people can largely go about their lives without leading to catastrophe – even in the midst of Delta.
Takeaway: the most important thing for people to do now is to get vaccinated, and to mask up indoors and anytime you are around individuals of uncertain vaccination status.
Should I get a vaccine booster?
No. There is no clear data to demonstrate a need for a booster, nor the efficacy of said booster. The research is ongoing, and if the facts change, so will the guidance.
Covid testing policy
Current guidelines are that close contacts of someone with COVID-19 should get tested, regardless of vaccination status. That means if you have spent a total of 15 minutes within six feet of someone who is Covid-positive, you should get tested (whether or not you were masked, and whether or not you were vaccinated). You should self-quarantine for 3-5 days after the exposure before getting your test, and remain in quarantine until you receive your results.
Tests are widely available, but as cases surge, it may become difficult to get one on demand. The Do I Need a COVID-19 Test? website has links to many resources searchable by location. You can also call 211 if you need assistance locating a test. Or you can order an at-home PCR test kit from places like Fred Meyer, Amazon or Costco, but beware that these tests are processed by out-of-state labs, which adds additional uncertainty with package travel times. A local option is a completely self-contained kit like the BinaxNow antigen test, but remember that antigen tests are not quite as accurate as PCR and will not satisfy many travel requirements.
Baskin Clinic will gladly assist you if you have symptoms or an exposure. You will need to call the office to arrange drive up testing. For the safety of our patients and staff, no one with symptoms or a significant exposure history will be allowed to enter the clinic. Please note that we will not test patients for travel, events, and so forth.
Remodeling nearly complete
We’re almost done with our remodeling project! We still have a number of odds and ends to complete, but the bulk of the work is finished. We can’t wait for you to see it.
As always, we want to leave you with something fun. Competition was fierce, but this one came away with the gold medal!
Take care,
Baskin Clinic