By Taylor Boyd
Following a decline in COVID-19 numbers earlier this year, the number of cases starting to rise prompted
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to update some of its recommendations.
Based on new evidence about the Delta variant, which is currently circulating, the CDC now
recommends that fully vaccinated people to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial
or high transmission.
The agency also added information that fully vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask regardless
of the level of transmission, particularly if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe
disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at
increased risk of severe disease or not fully vaccinated.
Those who are fully vaccinated and have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed
COVID-19 are encouraged to be tested 3-5 days after exposure, and to wear a mask in public indoor
settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
The CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools,
regardless of vaccination status.
West Piedmont Health District (WPHD) public information officer Nancy Bell said the numbers are rising
because people aren’t getting vaccinated.
“For this to work, most of the population needs to be vaccinated,” she said, adding that those refusing
the vaccine are potentially hurting themselves, their family, friends, and others.
“It’s really time to step up and do your part. They’re free, they’re easy to access, and they’re there based
on science,” she said. “We’re under conditions just like smallpox, and tuberculous, and all those other
things that we’ve managed to get a handle on because the vaccines work.”
While scientists and doctors are still unsure if variants can severely affect a vaccinated person, it is
possible for a fully vaccinated person to get infected with a COVID variant.
“We had somebody get the Delta variant after being vaccinated with two shots, but I think that’s
extremely rare and is only for someone who has some really poor immune issues going on” or those
with weakened immune systems, Bell said.
It is her understanding that if fully vaccinated people get the Delta variant, they would hardly know
because of the protection from the vaccine.
“The CDC has said that the vaccine is protective of the variants, we just don’t know to what degree yet,”
she said.
The Delta variant is an extremely transmissible mutated form of the COVID-19 virus.
“It’s meaner. Once it gets in you, it immediately works on your lungs to get them sticky. Double
phenomena is not uncommon with a person who has the Delta virus,” Bell said.
According to the CDC, there are currently four COVID-19 variants in the United States. More variants are
expected to appear as “viruses constantly change and become more diverse,” the CDC said.
COVID-19 variants are currently not being tracked by the CDC or the Virginia Department of Health
(VDH), but Bell said there is a possibility of a dashboard tracker being created.
Because of the increasing COVID-19 rates, discussions on reinstating a mask mandate are currently
underway.
“I don’t know that I would predict that we’re going to be wearing masks again. I don’t think the federal
nor the state government will issue those kinds of orders again,” Bell said, and added masks still need to
used in enclosed spaces and crowds.
As of July 21, 31.7 percent of the population, or 5,590 people, has been fully vaccinated in Patrick
County; 24.8 percent of the population has received at least one dose, and 37.7 percent of the adult
population is fully vaccinated.
In Henry County, 37 percent of the population, or 18,685 people, has been fully vaccinated. 41.4 percent
of the population has received at least one dose, and 44.4 percent of the adult population is fully
vaccinated.
As of Wednesday, July 21 data from the Virginia Department of Health suggested there are 4,701 cases,
with 378 hospitalizations, and 124 deaths in Henry County. In Patrick County, 1,423 cases with 12
hospitalized, and 45 dead from the COVID-19 virus were reported. In the City of Martinsville, 1,634 cases
were reported with 170 hospitalized, and 79 dead.
The data also suggests there are 686,884 cases in the state, with 31,037 hospitalized, and 11,491 dead
from the COVID-19 virus. Information from the CDC suggested there are 34,030,494 cases in the United
States and 607,289 dead from coronavirus.
Data also suggests that as of July 21, 4,547,021 Virginians have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-
19 virus.
For more tips on how to stay safe, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website shows that the daily count of COVID-19 cases in
Virginia is slowly rising after a decline earlier this summer.
As of Wednesday, July 21 data from the Virginia Department of Health suggested there are 4,701 cases,
with 378 hospitalizations, and 124 deaths in Henry County. In Patrick County, 1,423 cases with 12
hospitalized, and 45 dead from the COVID-19 virus were reported. In the City of Martinsville, 1,634 cases
were reported with 170 hospitalized, and 79 dead.
The data also suggests there are 686,884 cases in the state, with 31,037 hospitalized, and 11,491 dead
from the COVID-19 virus. Information from the CDC suggested there are 34,030,494 cases in the United
States and 607,289 dead from coronavirus.
Data also suggests that as of July 21, 4,547,021 Virginians have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-
19 virus.
For more tips on how to stay safe, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) website shows that the daily count of COVID-19 cases in
Virginia is slowly rising after a decline earlier this summer.
