EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The COVID-19 delta variant is causing global concern as the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that it has spread to at least 85 countries since it was first identified last fall.
The Delta variant accounted for 99% of COVID-19 cases in the UK by mid-June.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say they are responsible for more than 25% of new COVID-19 cases in the US and have been found in all 50 states including the District of Columbia.
Delta currently accounts for 40% of cases in the US, reports CNN.
Health officials are urging people to be wary of the increased transmissibility of the Delta variant because it has a collection of mutations that allow for easier cell infiltration and infection.
“The Delta variant has proven to be more transmissible – more contagious than the previous variants,” says Dr. US Department of Health’s assistant secretary of health Rachel Levine told KTSM 9 News.
The European Center for Disease Control reports that Delta is about 40-60% more communicable than the Alpha variant, which means that Delta is about twice as contagious.
People who are not vaccinated are more likely to get the Delta variant.
Moderna released data on Tuesday that people who have been vaccinated are able to neutralize alpha, beta, gamma and delta variants.
“Our safe and effective vaccines protect against the Delta variant,” says Levine, noting that laboratory studies of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johson & Johnson vaccines have been shown to be effective.
People with chronic illnesses are particularly susceptible to COVID-19 complications of all varieties.
“Individuals with chronic illnesses have carried the brunt of this infection, having had more severe cases of COVID-19, more hospital admissions and, tragically, more deaths,” says Levine.
A multidisciplinary study led by researchers at the UTEP found that untreated diabetes in Hispanic populations – like El Paso – is a key factor determining the severity and complications of COVID-19.
The retrospective study was led by Sudip Bajpeyi, Ph.D., UTEP Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Director of the Laboratory for Metabolic Nutrition and Exercise Research (MiNER). Ali Mossayebi, a graduate student in kinesiology at UTEP, presented the results of the study on Friday, June 25, 2021 at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 81st virtual scientific sessions.
“Our study has a significant impact on this region, which has a high Hispanic population and a greater risk of developing diabetes,” Bajpeyi said. “Many Hispanics in this region are also undiagnosed and may not know their diabetes status. Motivating the community to learn more about diabetes and the importance of blood sugar management should be a priority in managing and managing COVID-19 severity. “
Researchers examined the medical records of 369 university hospital patients diagnosed with COVID-19 to assess the consequences of untreated diabetes in Hispanic populations.
Hispanics are 2.4 times more likely to die from COVID-19 and 50% more likely to have diabetes than white Americans.
The study researchers found that COVID-19 patients with untreated diabetes had a significantly higher level of COVID-19 severity based on a rapid assessment of sepsis-related organ failure (qSOFA) and length of hospital stay compared to COVID-19 patients with diabetes that is managed.
Bajpeyi said the study underscores the need to assess, monitor, and manage blood sugar levels in patients hospitalized after initial admission with COVID-19 – especially for vulnerable populations with comorbid conditions.
One in ten diabetics hospitalized with COVID-19 dies within a week, which makes vaccinations all the more urgent for people at high risk.
“We understand that there are still some people who are reluctant to get vaccinated,” says Levine, “but we want to keep promoting the safety of the vaccines, the effectiveness of the vaccines, and the importance of the vaccines.”
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