The Williams County Health Department has developed community talking points in an effort to provide useful information as we work together to prevent COVID-19 spread in our community.
- What do I need to know about the Delta variant?
-According to the CDC, a new variant, Delta (B.1.617.2), is circulating in our region (Region 5 – Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio). The variant was first identified in India in December 2020 but was identified in the United States in March 2021.
-The Delta variant is actively spreading in Ohio. From May 23rd through June 5th, only 1.9% of all COVID-19 cases were caused by the Delta variant. By June 6th through June 19th, it increased to 15% of all Ohio COVID-19 cases. It has been forecasted that the percent of cases caused by Delta will double every two weeks for the foreseeable future, making the Delta variant the dominant strain of the virus.
-The Delta variant is impacting young people in a way that previous variants have not.
-It is predicted that the Delta variant is about 30-100% more transmissible than the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant, the variant that was spreading in our community last winter. This means that it spreads faster & more easily among those who are not fully vaccinated.
-The Delta variant is 2.5 times more infectious among those 50 and younger and the risk of hospitalization is almost double that of the Alpha variant.
-People who are fully vaccinated are protected from the Delta variant. That is why it is more important than ever that people get vaccinated against COVID-19. Until you are fully vaccinated, mask up to protect yourself and others.
-Youth ages 12 and older can prepare for the school year by getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
-If you start the COVID-19 vaccination process now, you will have enough time to be fully vaccinated by the beginning of the school year.
-For the Pfizer vaccine (12+ eligible), you must wait 3 weeks between the first and second dose and an additional 2 weeks after the final dose to be considered fully vaccinated.
-Fully vaccinated people can avoid quarantine if they are in contact with a COVID-19 case (& are asymptomatic) and fully participate in school, extracurricular activities, and sports this fall.
- Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is convenient! Free vaccine clinics are being held at the following locations:
-Montpelier WCHD Walk-in Clinics: Walk-in appointments are available during clinic hours. Make an appointment, or simply arrive at the office for a vaccine. If you would like an appointment, register online (bit.ly/WCVaccine), by phone (419-485-3141), or by texting “VAX” to 419-630-3731.
Pfizer (12+) & Johnson & Johnson (18+) clinics:
Mondays & Wednesdays from 9:15am to 4:30pm
Source: The Village Reporter
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