The New CDC Chief Just Raised This Alarm About COVID-19

Although the rate at which COVID-19 has spread in America is much lower than a month ago, on many days, the number of new confirmed cases tops 50,000. And, in some parts of the country, the rates are much faster. Additionally, over 1,000 Americans die of COVID-19 each day.

Dr. Walensky cautioned according to CNBC: “New, highly transmissible Covid-19 variants “stand to reverse” the nation’s control of the pandemic and could “undermine all of our efforts” against the disease if the virus is left to proliferate in different parts of the globe.”

New variants of the disease have begun to spread across the country. Among the three most often mentioned, they originated in the U.K. South Africa and Brazil.

The U.K. variant spreads more quickly than the version of the virus that accounted for most of the spread since the disease first emerged in the U.S. in Washington State on January 21 of last year.

The rate at which variants spread are not the only problem. Unfortunately, most parts of the country have been hit by one or more versions. According to the CDC, as of now, variants have been detected in 45 states. The largest number of these diagnosed so far are in Florida, California, and Michigan.

The variant detected the most so far is the B.1.1.7 from the U.K. Among the worries about it is whether current vaccines are as effective against it as they are with other versions.

Dr. Walensky anxiety about variants is that they can emerge anywhere in the world, and then spread to many counties. The number of variants detected in the U.S. could rise as people move, albeit less than usual, from country to country.

Dr. Walensky commented: “We know this virus knows no geographic borders and addressing this reality is more pressing than ever before, given the rapid proliferation of Covid-19 variants that stand to reverse the progress that has been made to control this pandemic.”

The major question about whether life can return to normal rests with what is called herd immunity. It is when somewhere between 70% and 80% of a population has either been infected or vaccinated. Today, the vaccination levels in the U.S. and the rate at which it is rising is slow.

As of February 24, 88,669,035 doses of vaccine had been delivered. From these, 66,464,947 shots had been given. At the same time, 14% of adults had received at least one dose. Only 6.2% had been given two. Measured by the two developed countries aggressively vaccinating their populations, the U.K. and Israel are well ahead of the American pace. This is the state where vaccination rates are the worst.

If there is a single consistent message from the CDC, scientists, epidemiologists, doctors, and public health officials it is that some of the oldest rules about stopping the spread are the most effective.

Dr. Anthony Fauci recently said that, even though vaccinated, he would not go to a theater or restaurant. Risk persists. Not everyone follows the three basic rules of mask wearing, social distancing, and avoiding large public places that can be crowded. This is when Americans can stop wearing masks according to Dr. Fauci.

The new CDC warnings are based on two things One is that new variants may hit the U.S. The other is that Americans have done a less than perfect job following the most basic rules.