The delta variant of COVID-19 has quickly become the dominant strain in Greene County, according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. That’s what caused a recent surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths in India, and it’s much more infectious than the original virus.
"If you've paid attention to the news, you'll know that, worldwide when it does become the dominant variant, it has disasterous effects," said Kendra Findley, administrator of community health and epidemiology with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department at a press briefing Tuesday.
A person with the original COVID-19 virus can infect up to two other people, according to Findley. A person with the delta variant can infect five to eight others. She said surveillance studies have shown the delta variant currently makes up 93 percent of COVID-19 cases in the county.
And it’s the reason for the current surge in hospitalizations in Springfield.
"So, think about that," said Findley. "That means if you have the delta variant as your main variant within the community, you would have exponential spread, which is exactly what we're seeing."
Monday, there were 155 people at Cox and Mercy with COVID-19. That number was 153 on Tuesday. The last time numbers were that high was in January. And most of those hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated, according to the health department. Findlay said hospitals are seeing younger patients as the delta variant moves through the community.
Greene County is currently averaging 94 new COVID-19 cases a day, according to Findley.
She urges everyone to get a COVID-19 vaccine, which she said is effective at reducing severity of illness and hospitalizations in those who are infected with COVID-19, including the delta variant.
Find out where to get a shot at vaccine417.com or call (417) 874-1211.
