COVID-19 Delta Variant: Infection Rate and PPE

Since the CDC announced their new COVID guidelines after the discovery of the Delta variant, the world has been in waiting. We all want to know what to expect and – most importantly – what to do.

Over the past few months, scientists and researchers have been gathering more information about the variant. In response, the CDC and other healthcare entities have been making the necessary changes.

Yet, the majority of the public is still confused about what the Delta variant is and how to respond to it. If you’re wondering the same things, keep reading. We’ve gathered all of the most recent information about the variant and broken it down so that you can understand it.

What Is the COVID-19 Delta Variant?

All you’ve heard on the news and online is that this delta variant spreads faster than the typical virus. You might have also heard that the Delta variant is more serious than the initial virus as well.

Unfortunately, this is true.

When a virus has the chance to live and multiply, it only becomes stronger. Over time, the virus mutates and populates different variants. Since stronger viruses are more likely to survive, those strong viruses are able to create more viruses.

With more and more generations, the viruses will become so much stronger that it no longer acts like the previous generations. Because the differences are so great, these newer viruses are separated from the original ones with a new name.

This is what happened when the Delta variant (and other COVID-19 variants) formed.

Are Vaccinated People Safe from the Delta Variant?

The CDC has recommended that all people get the COVID-19 vaccine. However, some people have noted that natural immunity exists for those who have contracted the virus before.

Depending on your personal situation, you may decide whether or not getting the vaccine is the best choice for you.

If you’re curious about their effectiveness against the Delta variant, the CDC also confirmed that these vaccines protect against the variants that currently exist. Those who have had COVID-19 before will also have some level of protection against the new variants.

With this in mind, you have to understand how vaccines work. They aren’t guaranteed to prevent you from getting the virus.

However, the vaccine does help protect against hospitalization and death. Since the Delta variant has higher hospitalization and death rates, the CDC is recommending vaccination now more than ever.

Patients with pre-existing conditions are at a greater risk of contracting the disease. At the same time, these patients have a greater risk of being admitted to the hospital and even death.

Should We Be Wearing Face Masks to Avoid the Delta Variant?

Speaking of protecting yourself, the CDC highly recommends that everyone wear a mask. Whether you’re vaccinated or not, wearing a face mask is a great tool to protect yourself.

Whether you have had the vaccine or not, the CDC recommends that you wear your mask in high-transmission areas. This includes crowded places or places in which you’ll be in close proximity with others.

During all other situations, people who are vaccinated should still wear a mask according to the CDC. As new evidence suggests, breakthrough infection is possible and it can spread the Covid-19 virus to others. By wearing a mask it will only add more protection to yourself and those around you in doing so.

If you have not had any of the vaccines or you haven’t finished your vaccine course, the CDC recommends that you wear a mask outside of your home. This means that they recommend that you wear it whether you’re in a highly transmissible area or not.

If there are other people around you, you’re at a greater risk of contracting the disease. Likewise, you’re at a greater risk for establishing a grave illness.

Wearing a mask does protect against the coronavirus, but certain level masks are not as protective against the Delta variant of COVID-19. As we mentioned, this variant is much more transmissible. A medical grade or higher bacterial filtration mask can provide a greater protection against the Delta variant.

Other protective clothing that civilians could wear includes protective eyewear. The coronavirus spreads through the mucous membranes of the body, so protecting your eyes will decrease the likelihood that you’ll contract the condition.

However, the CDC does not have any specific recommendations for civilians regarding protective goggles.

Should Health Professionals Wear More Protective Clothing?

Healthcare workers are also being affected by the uptick in infection rates brought on by the Delta variant. Many of them are left wondering if they have enough protection to keep themselves from this variant, which is easier to pass along.

Since this variant of the virus has a higher infection rate, it is important for healthcare workers to do everything they can to protect themselves. The benefits of PPE have grown as this virus has mutated. Thus, more health care professionals are wearing more protective clothing on a daily basis.

During the height of the pandemic, there were shortages in PPE and other important equipment. After learning from that period of time, it seems that our hospitals can handle the volume of face masks and other PPE that these sites require.

However, one thing that hasn’t changed much, is bed volume. Because the Delta variant has been spreading to more people, more patients are ending up in the hospital.

Hospitals around the United States are experiencing shortages like they did when the first wave of the pandemic set in. This is causing shortages in healthcare personnel and personal protective equipment.

Plus, the greater number of patients is putting providers at greater risk, too. This leaves them to depend on the PPE benefits that they can get with thicker clothing and more reliable materials.

Get the PPE that You Need

Even though the height of the pandemic is over, the coronavirus is still raging on. The discovery of the Delta variant has proven this.

Whether you’re a healthcare worker or not, you need more protective clothing that can help you against the higher infection rate. Luckily, you can experience the benefits of PPE with our protective products.

Our team understands how important getting affordable PPE is. Due to demand, prices have been rising steadily.

Despite this, we’re working to keep our prices down for you and everyone else that needs it. Shop today to get the supplies you need.