Due to a high number of unvaccinated individuals and anti maskers, hospitals are now hit with a second covid-19 surge. I, as well as many other nurses, have experienced the nightmares of covid returning as beds are full, patients are sick, and staffing is strained.
The Delta variant is now the major strain in the US. It is about 2x more contagious and transmissible than the original covid-19, meaning that one infected person can infect upwards to 5 other people. Those who are unvaccinated including children are most at risk for infection and hospitalization.
Loss of taste and smell are less common with this variant and typical signs are symptoms resemble that of the flu including headache, sore throat, runny nose, and congestion.
Even with the variant, vaccination prevents 88% of people from having symptoms and 96% of people from ending up in the hospital.
Take home points:
Get vaccinated!
Wear a mask in public places.
Prevent the spread and help the strain on the hospital system.
Until next shift,
Shania