West Virginia Officials Continue To Warn Against Delta Variant Of COVID-19
CHARLESTON -- As cases of the more infectious and severe Delta variant of COVID-19 continue to increase around the country, West Virginia officials said the best defense against it is being fully vaccinated.
Fifteen cases of the Delta variant have now been identified in West Virginia, state officials said during Gov. Jim Justice's Thursday COVID-19 briefing.
"We know that variant is growing very rapidly," Dr. Clay Marsh, coronavirus leader in West Virginia, said.
On June 16, the Delta variant was 10% of cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Marsh said. On Wednesday, the CDC said the Delta variant is 51% of cases in the U.S.
"I think it was Dr. (Anthony) Fauci who said this is COVID-19 on steroids," Marsh said.
The Delta mutant strain attacks people who are not vaccinated or are partially vaccinated, Marsh said.
"So being completely vaccinated is very highly protective against you getting COVID-19 or getting sick from COVID-19," Marsh said.
While children were less likely to be infected by the original strain of the virus, that is not true with the Delta variant, he said.
The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of the Pfizer vaccine for youth 12-18.
Parents can protect children by avoiding crowded places where it's unknown who has not been vaccinated, Marsh said. Indoor venues are riskier, according to Marsh.
"I would really encourage parents of children who need to have to go into those kinds of environments to have their children wear masks if they can and stay physically distant from people," Marsh said.
Clinical trials may soon determine the vaccines also are safe for younger children, Marsh said. Until then parents need to consider mitigating measures such as masks, physical distancing and hand washing, he said.
"And really avoiding high-risk situations," Marsh said.
In non-COVID-19 news, the governor said he has ordered the State Police to begin additional enforcement of the 55 mph speed limit in the I-81 work zone and all work zones in West Virginia. The action was taken following the death of two people trying to help others in the I-81 work zone in an accident involving speeding, Justice said.
"We will be monitoring this situation at all times and we will remain committed to making it safe in these work zones," he said.
Also, West Virginia's latest two winners for full-ride college scholarships appeared with the governor Thursday morning via video conference.
Devin Dawson, of Alma in Tyler County, and Paige Stanley, of Parkersburg, are the latest winners of the scholarships from Wednesday's drawing in the "Do It for Babydog" vaccination sweepstakes.