Covid-19 variants pose ‘real threat’ to vaccine progress, CDC warnson March 2, 2021 at 2:53 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

A top health expert says highly contagious variants of the virus pose a “real threat” to the US.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, President Joe Biden's appointee to run the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

image copyrightReuters

The spread of highly contagious coronavirus variants is threatening to fuel a “potential fourth surge of cases” in the US, a top health official has warned.

The head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said she was concerned by recent Covid-19 data.

Dr Rochelle Walensky said about 70,000 new cases a day had been recorded last week – “a very high number”.

There were nearly 2,000 deaths a day in the same period, she added.

“Please hear me clearly: at this level of cases, with variants spreading, we stand to completely lose the hard-earned ground we have gained,” Dr Walensky said. “These variants are a very real threat to our people and our progress.”

There are many different versions, or variants, of Covid-19 circulating, but health experts are particularly concerned about a few which appear to be more contagious, including those first detected in the UK, South Africa and Brazil.

The CDC has predicted the highly contagious B.1.1.7 variant first found in the UK will become the dominant strain in the US this month.

A woman receives a coronavirus vaccine in Los Angeles

image copyrightGetty Images

Given this, Dr Walensky said she was “really worried” about reports of US states “rolling back the exact public health measures we have recommended to protect people from Covid-19”.

“We have the ability to stop a potential fourth surge of cases in this country. Please stay strong in your conviction,” she said.

In total, the US has recorded more than 28 million infections and 500,000 deaths related to Covid-19, according to World Health Organization (WHO) data.

Daily infections and deaths fell steeply after a peak in January, when vaccinations against the disease started to be ramped up.

But the CDC says, until more people are vaccinated, variants could drive a spike in cases, threatening health systems already under strain.

More than 2,463 infections involving variants of concern have been reported, according to CDC data. Most of those cases – at least 2,400 – are of the UK variant.

The true number of people infected by variants in the US is thought to be higher.

There is no evidence that any of the variants causes much more serious illness for most people who become infected.

Scientists believe current vaccines do offer protection against variants as well.

As of Monday, the US had administered more than 76 million doses of vaccine, CDC data showed.

Overall, the US has given the most doses of any country in the world. But when breaking the figures down by population, looking at doses administered per 100 people, the US ranked fourth behind the UK, the UAE and Israel, according to Our World in Data.

Chart showing vaccine doses per 100 people in countries with the highest total vaccinations
1px transparent line

Among the vaccinated in the US are former President Donald Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump, according to reports. They were both vaccinated at the White House in January, an adviser told the New York Times and other US media outlets.

It was not clear which vaccine they had received, but only jabs made by Pfizer and Moderna had been approved by regulators in January.

A third, single-shot vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson was approved for use in the US on Saturday.

Jeff Zients, co-ordinator of the White House coronavirus response team, said the vaccine would start to be delivered “as early as tomorrow”.

About 3.9 million doses of the vaccine will be distributed across the country in the coming days, he said.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Women’s World Cup 2023: Japan thrash Spain to set up last-16 Norway game – highlightson July 31, 2023 at 9:32 am

Watch highlights as Japan thrash Spain 4-0 to top Group C and set up a last 16 tie against Norway at the Women's World...

Queen so greatly missed, says Camilla in first speech as Queen Consorton November 17, 2022 at 4:23 pm

In her first speech as Queen Consort, Camilla says she and the King drew "immense comfort" from condolences.Image source, PA MediaBy Andre Rhoden-PaulBBC NewsCamilla,...

Joe McCann: Trial of two soldiers collapseson May 4, 2021 at 1:44 pm

Both men have been formally acquitted of killing Official IRA man Joe McCann in Belfast.image copyrightMcCann familyTwo former paratroopers accused of the murder of...

Archie Battersbee: Family of boy ruled dead seeks appealon June 20, 2022 at 11:11 am

The parents of a 12-year-old boy in a coma are in court contesting a ruling that he is brain-dead.This video can not be playedTo...

Light pollution: Huge fall in stars that can be seen with naked eyeon January 20, 2023 at 12:39 am

Our view of the stars has been reduced every year over the last decade by artificial light pollution.By Victoria GillScience correspondent, BBC NewsThe number...