Delta Variant Dominance in the U.S.

The week of June 14th, data from genomic sequencing suggests that the Delta variant (B.1.617.2 first identified in India) is roughly doubling every week and we have reached the time period when it is estimated to become the dominant strain in the United States. While it is a Variant of Concern (VOC) that fits all three criteria of transmissibility, severity, and immune escape, there is good news that fully vaccinated individuals retain high levels of immune protection although slightly lower protection…