Wearing masks indoorsResearchers have found that when infected with the Delta variant, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people had similar viral loads in their upper respiratory systems. Among the 133 viral samples that were genetically sequenced, 90% were caused by the Delta variant or an offshoot of the strain. The confidential CDC document also cites discouraging reports about breakthrough cases in India, where the Delta variant was first detected. Overall, it now appears that the Delta variant poses more risks than initially thought but that the vaccines available in the U.S. still offer strong protection. The CDC document cited several studies, some of them preliminary, suggesting that Delta infections were more likely to lead to serious illnesses that require hospital care.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 31, 2021 19:18 UTC