SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton: The Danger Of The Delta Variant

Press release from SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

July 28, 2021

With the Delta variant creating a huge increase in COVID-19 infections around the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that even fully vaccinated people resume wearing a mask when they are indoors, especially in regions with substantial infection rates. The CDC also urged all students, teachers and staff in K-12 schools to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

While the vast majority of infections are occurring among unvaccinated people, the number of breakthrough infections --which generally don't require hospitalization -- also remain a concern.

"The first priority for the government and for health systems like SSM Health is always going to be public health and safety," said Dr. Shephali Wulff, director of infectious diseases for the system. "With the low vaccination rate in many parts of the country, the Delta variant has shown that it is a more highly transmissible version of COVID-19."

The CDC has continued to mandate masks in health care facilities, such as SSM Health's hospitals and clinics. The mask requirement remains in place for these locations.

For more information, visit the CDC website.

This press release was produced by SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.