Are Vaccinated People Spreading the Delta Variant?

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is giving public health organizations pause for concern. The coronavirus strain is not only infecting a small percentage of the vaccinated in the Bay Area, but if you did get your shots, you may unknowingly be spreading it around.

Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released last week indicated that fully vaccinated individuals can in some cases spread the Delta variant to others. The variant typically impacts the upper airways more than the original strain even in individuals who are fully vaccinated.Even those who are even partially vaccinated may contract COVID-19, be asymptomatic, and not feel its effects. In those instances of infection in a vaccinated person, a face-covering prevents further spread, the CDC advised.

Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) officials joined seven other Bay Area health officers last Wednesday urged all unvaccinated residents 12 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible and making face coverings a requirement for all indoor activities with very limited exceptions even if you have been vaccinated. 

Health officials also recommend that all employers make face coverings available to individuals entering their businesses, and businesses are required to implement the indoor face-covering order. 

Indoor settings, whether public or private, are higher risk for COVID-19 transmission, especially when you are with people you do not live with, according to Dr. Nicholas Moss, Alameda County Health Officer. 

“Face coverings are a simple and effective tool that everyone can use to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Moss. “Using face masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status, will help us protect each other and end this summer surge.”

Alameda County’s daily case rate of reported COVID-19 infection has shot up to 17 per 100,000 and is rising to as many as 500 cases per day, according to the county’s health data website. The county’s positive test results are up to 5.4 % from a low of 2.1% this spring. ACPHD noted that the numbers may be increasing as testing has ramped up in localized areas of Alameda County, especially the unincorporated parts, to about 7,500 per day. Demand has increased as much as five times at some sites, ACPHD representatives said.

Hospitalization for COVID-19 infections have also increased to 179 as of this week including 47 people admitted to intensive care units, county health data shows. Still, health officials say those who are vaccinated remain strongly protected against severe illness and hospitalization, even with the Delta variant in play.