New Mexico state health officials said “delta” will soon be the dominant variant in the coming weeks. Epidemiologists estimate the delta variant is 50 percent more transmissible than earlier variants and could cause more severe illness.For many New Mexicans, the pandemic has been exhausting. “We all, myself included, want it to be over today. The virus is not in on that plan. The virus mutates,” Dr. David Scrase, the Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Health and Human Services Department, said.Scrase said he understands why some people are letting their guard down. But with the delta variant spreading across the country, he’s concerned for the community. “We’re expecting to see the delta variant be above 50 percent of our cases here in New Mexico,” Scrase said.The New Mexico Department of Health confirmed there are 36 cases of the delta variant. However, the state only tests about 10% of all the positive COVID-19 tests for variants. Dr. Scrase estimates there are actually more than 300 cases of the delta variant in the state.Because of virus mutations, the World Health Organization recommends fully vaccinated people to keep wearing face masks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on the other hand, hasn’t commented. If the delta variant continues to cripple communities and if the CDC changes their mask guidance for fully vaccinated people, then New Mexicans will need to mask up again. “Our public health order requires us to follow CDC guidance when it comes to masking. If CDC changes, we’ll automatically change,” Scrase said.KOAT asked Scrase how many fully vaccinated residents have gotten sick with COVID-19. He said 1,019 fully vaccinated people have tested positive.
New Mexico state health officials said “delta” will soon be the dominant variant in the coming weeks.
Epidemiologists estimate the delta variant is 50 percent more transmissible than earlier variants and could cause more severe illness.
For many New Mexicans, the pandemic has been exhausting.
“We all, myself included, want it to be over today. The virus is not in on that plan. The virus mutates,” Dr. David Scrase, the Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Health and Human Services Department, said.
Scrase said he understands why some people are letting their guard down. But with the delta variant spreading across the country, he’s concerned for the community.
“We’re expecting to see the delta variant be above 50 percent of our cases here in New Mexico,” Scrase said.
The New Mexico Department of Health confirmed there are 36 cases of the delta variant. However, the state only tests about 10% of all the positive COVID-19 tests for variants. Dr. Scrase estimates there are actually more than 300 cases of the delta variant in the state.
Because of virus mutations, the World Health Organization recommends fully vaccinated people to keep wearing face masks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on the other hand, hasn’t commented. If the delta variant continues to cripple communities and if the CDC changes their mask guidance for fully vaccinated people, then New Mexicans will need to mask up again.
“Our public health order requires us to follow CDC guidance when it comes to masking. If CDC changes, we’ll automatically change,” Scrase said.
KOAT asked Scrase how many fully vaccinated residents have gotten sick with COVID-19. He said 1,019 fully vaccinated people have tested positive.
