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The delta variant is being blamed for hot spots in the U.S. where cases of COVID-19 are on the rise. These hot spots account for most cases in the U.S. They are also the geographical areas that tend to have the lowest vaccination rates.
"It's no surprise that the two go together," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group.
"This (delta variant) is the bad actor that we predicted it would be," adds Dr. Poland. "Our seven-day average is getting up to 19,000 cases a day in the U.S. We were down to 3,000. So we're starting to see, just as we predicted, a surge as people took masks off and as restrictions were lifted before we had achieved high rates of immunization."
In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland expands on how the highly transmissible delta variant continues to spread. He also talks about the possibility of COVID-19 vaccine boosters, explains how the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System works, and much more as he answers listener questions.
To practice safe social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this interview was conducted using video conferencing. The sound and video quality are representative of the technology used. For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
Read the full transcript.
Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.
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Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting. Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific understanding, along with guidelines and recommendations, may have changed since the original publication date.
For more information and all your COVID-19 coverage, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.
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1 ReactionUnfortunately, @jal333 The people who will not get vaccinated are also the people who will not wear masks and stay at home, or at least stay out of crowds. I know two people who will not get vaccinated and I really do not understand. One did recently get Covid but it was a mild case so it did nothing to convince her and her husband that maybe he should get vaccinated. I think that her protection from having had Covid is at least as good as it would be from the vaccine.
I did have the same antibody test they are using at JH and my antibody level was 13.83 which I believe is high for a person on immunosuppressants. I can't help but wonder if that could possibly be because I didn't have the test immediately so perhaps it took longer for my immunocompromised body to mount a good response. Regardless, if they do give the go-ahead for boosters I will be in line right next to you, @merpreb.
JK
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1 ReactionIt sounds like the need for boosters is still being studied. However, I know that we generally avoided covid before vaccines with masks, limited contact. So, even though I am fully vaccinated, I am going back to that until more is known. I already have an autoimmune, do not want to chance any covid at all.
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2 ReactionsThe "human mind is a mysterious thing. Most people who have voluntarily self-surrendered their rationality to falsehoods about Covid19 will ultimately question their cognitive dissonance. Sadly, the trigger for this change will be to watch a loved one get very ill or die.
@marye2 We are still being very cautious also and I will absolutely not eat inside of a restaurant. I think that's one of the worst possible scenarios since everyone has to take their masks off to eat. Sure, many places brag about their wonderful new filtration systems but the air has to make it across the room to that filtration system before it gets purified and if you happen to be in its path and there are Covid infiltrates in that air then you could get infected.
I did drop precautions pretty much last week while away with our son, daughter, and their spouses but my son and his wife did get tested before coming and my daughter and her husband are being as careful as we are. The only possible problem was that my son and daughter-in-law had to fly to get here, and that is a big potential problem but after not seeing my son and his wife for a year and a half I did take that risk.
JK