Beebe: Delta variant more virulent

Beebe Healthcare doctors are urging Cape Region residents and visitors to take precautions as the county, state and country are in the midst of another uptick in COVID cases.

“COVID-19 is once again rearing its head as the Delta variant is now coming online and starting to impact different parts of our country,” said Beebe President and CEO Dr. David Tam. “We have to face the reality of what’s going on. COVID-19 is still here.”

There were 127 new confirmed cases Aug. 9. According to state data, about 40 percent of new cases are one of the variants. The Delta strain is the dominant variant right now, making up more than 85 percent of variant cases.

“It’s been shown to be more contagious than the prior strains that we have seen,” said Dr. Bill Chasanov, Beebe’s COVID-19 medical director and infectious disease physician. “It’s also been shown to make people sicker than the prior strains. Now we have a double whammy.”

Chasanov said it is not uncommon for viruses to mutate and change over time. The prime example is the influenza virus.

“The most important thing anyone can do or the best way to treat COVID-19 is not to get COVID-19,” he said. “It’s important to realize that vaccines are still the most effective way to prevent yourself from getting COVID-19.”

According to state data, 65.1 percent of individuals 12 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine; 93.4 percent of people 65 and older have had one dose.

“The vaccine is one more tool, one more weapon in our armamentarium,” Tam said. “We can get to the place where we can, once again, live our lives safely and effectively.”

All three Delaware counties were elevated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week to areas of high transmission. They had previously been ranked as areas of substantial transmission, one step lower.

There’s been a lot of discussion on social media about the vaccines, but Chasanov said there have been eight to nine months of clinical evidence that they are safe and provide strong defense against COVID.

“This is still the most effective way to decrease someone’s chances of not only getting COVID, but if you still contract COVID, these vaccines significantly decrease your chances of becoming ill, ill enough to land yourself in the hospital or even in an ICU requiring a machine to help you breathe,” he said. “I don’t say that to scare anyone. I say that just because of what we see.”

Both Tam and Chasanov urge the public to follow the CDC’s latest recommendation to wear masks in public places even if vaccinated.

“Please consider doing what’s best for yourself, for your friends, for your family, for your neighbors, for your community,” Chasanov said. “We’ve done this for 18-plus months, and we’ve done a really good job. It’s not going to be forever.”

In addition to wearing masks, Tam also urged the public to continue washing their hands regularly and maintain physical distance from others.

Tam said it’s important everyone continue to monitor their health, to see physicians for regular checkups, and to go to walk-in clinics, urgent care and emergency rooms if needed.

“People who are in the best possible health they can be are the ones who can fight the COVID-19 infection effectively,” he said. “Please take care of yourself.”