NC Medical Schools, Health Systems Forming Network to Analyze Delta Variant
The latest data shows the Delta variant represents about 13 percent of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina, but that data is about a month old, according to a CBS-17 news report published July 18, 2021.
“It is inevitable this is going to be the dominant virus here very, very shortly,” said David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases.
An analysis of the COVID-19 Delta variant will determine how many patients are testing positive to the variant. UNC is leading a network of major medical schools in the state, including Duke and several health systems.
Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta: How Variants of the COVID-19 Virus Continue to Evolve
The delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been making headlines as it has quickly become the most prevalent strain in America. But other variants of the virus are still out there, and more will form as the virus continues to spread.
Viruses mutate and form new variants “to try to survive better,” said David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in infectious diseases, in a News & Observer article.
“Viruses are selected out for survival of the fittest…and by fittest, that usually means more ‘catchy.’ Maybe it lasts longer in the nose and throat and can be spread to more people.”
‘Delta is Emerging’: New Daily COVID-19 Cases in NC Top 1,000
Charlotte’s WSOC-TV reported on the rise in COVID-19 cases and interviewed David Wohl, MD.
“So people should be concerned about [it], really concerned, and I’ll tell you why,” said Wohl.
He explained the variant is 60% more contagious than the original strain. That would theoretically mean the guideline to stay 6 feet apart and wear masks for less than 15 minutes may not always protect people.
Expert On Delta Variant in NC: ‘It’s Going to Continue and It’s Going to Get Worse’
North Carolina’s experiencing a massive jump in new COVID-19 cases, with nearly 1,000 new cases reported on Wednesday. That’s the most new cases reported since May.Health experts said the jump in cases could partly come from the Fourth of July holiday weekend, but it’s the Delta variant they’re mainly pointing to.
“It’s not like this was something that was unforeseen, and I have to be honest, it’s going to continue and it’s going to get worse,” said David Wohl, MD.