Thursday, March 28, 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

Immunized but banned: EU says not all COVID vaccines equal

Immunized but banned: EU says not all COVID vaccines equal
The couple — and millions of other people vaccinated through a U.N.-backed effort — could find themselves barred from entering many European and other countries because those nations don't recognize the Indian-made version of the vaccine for travel.

Immunized but banned: EU says not all COVID vaccines equal

WHO: Rich countries should donate vaccines, not use boosters

WHO: Rich countries should donate vaccines, not use boosters
Top officials at the World Health Organization say there's not enough evidence to show that third doses of coronavirus vaccines are needed and appealed Monday for the scarce shots to be shared with poor countries who have yet to immunize their people instead of being used by rich countries as boosters.

WHO: Rich countries should donate vaccines, not use boosters

US plans to make airlines refund fees if bags are delayed

US plans to make airlines refund fees if bags are delayed
The Transportation Department will propose that airlines be required to refund fees on checked baggage if the bags aren't delivered to passengers quickly enough.

US plans to make airlines refund fees if bags are delayed

Liberty: Lots of travelers expected on freer Fourth of July

Liberty: Lots of travelers expected on freer Fourth of July
Americans enjoying newfound liberty are expected to travel and gather for cookouts, fireworks and family reunions over the Fourth of July weekend in numbers not seen since pre-pandemic days.

Liberty: Lots of travelers expected on freer Fourth of July

Biden to visit Florida building collapse on Thursday

Biden to visit Florida building collapse on Thursday
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Surfside, Florida, on Thursday to visit with the families of victims of the collapsed Miami-area condominium tower, according to the White House.

Biden to visit Florida building collapse on Thursday

Pak Interior Minister admits country hosting Taliban families

Pak Interior Minister admits country hosting Taliban families
Pakistan has for long completely rejected assertions of having Taliban footprints on its soil. However, incumbent Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has admitted that Islamabad not only hosts families of the Taliban, but it also is aware of fighters getting medical treatment in the country.

Pak Interior Minister admits country hosting Taliban families