About 93 percent of infected people live in counties with vaccination rates below 40 percent, said Rochelle Wallinsky, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Almost all deaths and hospitalizations have occurred among the unvaccinated population, said Jeff Zentes, the White House team leader responsible for the pandemic effort.
In short, the lower the vaccination rate, the more people need to be treated in hospital
Rochelle Wallinsky, director of the American Center for Epidemiology and Disease Prevention (CDC).
The CDC announced this week that a delta version of a virus called SARS-CoV-2 has become dominant in the United States. The highly contagious version has become prevalent in other countries around the world.
Zents said the White House intends to focus federal government assistance on vaccination and anti-Covid virus treatments, particularly in Arkansas, Missouri, Nevada and Illinois.
The White House announced last week that it will send special units to hot spots across the United States to fight the delta variant while the number of infected increases across the country. Zinets added that the White House is also working to make vaccinations available at medical practices across the country.
According to the expert, the delta variant is dangerous mainly for young people. Observers say it can cause more serious illnesses among young people than other types of coronavirus.
Walensky added that outbreaks are expected at summer camps and other community events in the United States.
Cover Photo: Getty Images