Latest information from the World Health Organization shows that there have been four million deaths related to COVID-19, with nearly 185,000,000 cases reported around the world.
With 33.4 million cases, the United States continues to have the most of any country. India is second with nearly 30.7 million cases.
New numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the highly contagious delta variant accounts for more than 51% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
MORE: South Carolina Health Officials Look Ahead to the School Year, Georgia Eyes Economic Recovery
In Georgia, the Department of Public Health says there are 50 confirmed cases of the delta variant, which is about 12% of new cases.
Spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said, “However, testing in general is down significantly and only a portion of positive tests are sent for sequencing, so that number is likely an undercount.”
Nydam said vaccination is critical to stopping the spread of all forms of COVID-19.
“Currently, fewer than 40% of Georgians are fully vaccinated. That means every crowd is a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, and the risk of COVID-19 transmission exists, especially the delta variant which is more contagious and can cause more severe illness than other variants,” said Nydam.
[adrotate banner=”19″]
In the weekly South Carolina Department of Environmental Control briefing, Dr. Jane Kelly, assistant state epidemiologist, said, “The overwhelming majority of people who are continuing to get COVID-19 and who are getting hospitalized and dying from this disease are those who are not fully vaccinated.”
There are currently ten cases of the delta variant in the Palmetto State, but Kelly said they are sure there are more cases that have not been identified. South Carolina, like Georgia, send only a portion of positive tests for additional testing to identify variants.
MORE: Growing Threat from COVID-19 Variant
Just 43% of South Carolina residents are fully vaccinated, according to DHEC officials. That is a similar percentage to several states now reporting significant increases in cases. That makes the state one of 12 states considered at highest risk for new cases because of a low vaccination rate.
“Our state, and our nation for that matter, are at a pivotal point in this pandemic and the way to end it is readily available. Vaccines are our way out of this pandemic,” said Kelly. “This is not over yet, folks.”
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
[adrotate banner=”56″]
