CHARLOTTE — The delta variant of COVID-19 has become the dominant strain of the virus across the country, accounting for more than 93% of all new cases.
“This delta virus, and unvaccinated people in particular it seems to produce huge amounts of virus in these people,” Dr. Charles Bregier with Novant Health said.
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“So when billions of viruses are produced in you, the risk of having some of them mutate into a different strain is even greater,” he said.
The more delta spreads through unvaccinated people, the greater chance it will mutate into the next strain.
“There will be ongoing mutations of additional COVID viruses, and, you know, we don’t know when another, you know, significant mutation comes along, it’s also very, very easily spread from one person to another, and may not be as well prevented by the existing vaccines,” Bregier said.
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According to Bregier, the current vaccines significantly lower people’s chance of getting COVID-19 and keeping them from getting sick if they do.
“It is clear that those who are fully vaccinated and getting COVID and spreading it to others do overwhelmingly have a much less severe course of COVID,” he said.
According to health officials, delta is just one of several variants currently being monitored.
(WATCH: Leaked CDC report: Delta variant as contagious as chickenpox)
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