July 9, 2021
Dear Members of the Baylor College of Medicine Community,
The Delta variant continues to be of major interest in the pandemic. In the United States, the Delta variant skyrocketed from representing 30 percent of cases two weeks ago to 51 percent now. It is now the dominant strain in the United States. The concern centers on a 0ne-Two scenario that is playing out across the country – areas with a large number of unvaccinated people and the high transmission rates of the Delta variant.
In this week’s video, I review the stats worldwide and in the U.S. as well as discuss the new Delta Plus variant. The difference in the Delta Plus variant is it changes the spike protein just enough to be resistant to the monoclonal antibody cocktail. It is appearing in several countries.
Other news covered this week includes hot spots for transmission of COVID-19 in the country and the state, as well as vaccination rates.
Some other interesting reports:
- How birthday parties turned out to be one of the increased risks for transmission (both children and adults).
- The case of a wedding in Houston which required all attendees to be vaccinated but ended up with six positive cases (breakthrough cases) with one death and one hospitalization from the Delta variant.
- And a case close to home where children and adults attending a church camp became infected, including breakthrough cases and cases involving the Delta variant.
This and more news in the video on breakthrough cases, COVID-19 and pregnancy, the effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines and the latest on myocarditis in young adults after vaccination.
One thing stands out in all of these reports – the vaccines are highly effective and everyone over 12 should be vaccinated. The risks for those unvaccinated, including the highly transmissible Delta variant, are much higher than the small risks associated with vaccinations. The virus will find you if you are not vaccinated.
Stay safe. See you next week.
Paul Klotman, M.D.
President & CEO
Executive Dean
