Duval County

Biden Administration urges Jacksonville residents to get vaccinated amid rising numbers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The delta variant of COVID-19 continues to sweep across the nation. Here in Jacksonville hospitals are seeing new patients being admitted at a higher rate than ever before.

Action News Jax spoke to the White House today about how many people in Florida are not taking this new variant seriously, and they have one thing to say:

“The number one message I have to everybody in Florida, everybody in Jacksonville, if you have not been vaccinated yet, the most important thing you can do to protect your family, your friends, and yourself: is to get vaccinated.”

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That statement comes from a top White House official after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published new information comparing the delta strain of COVID-19 to chicken pox.

In one slide used in a CDC briefing you can see where the new delta strain lies… and how much more dangerous it is than the original strain of COVID-19. The White House adds those who are vaccinated do not have to be as worried.

“We are in the moment where the delta variant poses a massive threat to the progress we’ve made as a country. over 80% of our seniors have been vaccinated. close to 70% of all Americans are vaccinated, and these are people that are protected from the delta variant. and those that are not at serious risk of illness or death.”

The same CDC report says delta variant breakthrough cases may be as transmissible as non-vaccinated cases. They also say the disease may be more dangerous for non-vaccinated individuals than the original strain, and those with the vaccine can still spread the strain.

“Unfortunately, there is still not enough vaccinated people, so it has spread. it’s a different strain and it’s significantly more transmissible.”

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The main takeaway is that those with and without the vaccine can spread the delta variant, but those with the vaccine will not get nearly as sick. The White House is urging people to get vaccinated today, saying vaccines and masks are the only way to move past this new wave.

“The great news, though, is the more people that we will get vaccinated, the less ability we have for that strain to grow and reach our children. so we need to make sure that everybody gets vaccinated so we can put the delta variant behind us.”

In the conclusion of the presentation by the CDC they add,

“Vaccines prevent >90% of severe disease, but may be less effective at preventing infection or transmission.”

That’s why many doctors are telling people that if you are vaccinated it may be time to once again mask up.