Dangers of Delta Variant in Power & Water Sector
Even as the power and water utility industry started to express hope — or at the very least cautious optimism — that the pandemic would fade into the background earlier this year, there was still a danger that new mutations of the COVID-19 virus might bring it back, stronger than ever.
A significant source of concern at the moment is Delta Covid-19 virus variant, a highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus strain discovered in India in December 2020. It spread quickly across that nation and Great Britain before making its way to the United States, where it has established itself as the dominant variant.
Following a gradual decrease earlier this year, Delta resulted in an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this strain has shown to be more than twice as infectious than earlier strains, and tests have indicated that it is more likely to hospitalize affected individuals than the original virus. Unvaccinated people are most in danger, and areas with poor vaccination rates see the greatest spread of infections and worst consequences.
According to what we know now, individuals who are entirely vaccinated against COVID-19 continue to have a high level of protection against the virus. Still, the CDC recommends extra measures, including mask recommendations, regardless of vaccination status.
According to the CDC, the “breakthrough cases” of COVID-19 infection in entirely vaccinated individuals are still regarded uncommon even with Delta. But if a vaccinated person is sick, they may spread the virus. (The CDC is still analyzing data to determine if individuals with breakthrough cases who do not exhibit symptoms may transmit the virus.)
Experts advise that the most critical measure you can take to protect your engineers and staffs from Delta is to be completely vaccinated. At this stage, if you get a two-dose vaccination, such as Pfizer or Moderna, you must have both injections and then wait the recommended two weeks for the vaccines to take action fully.
Although vaccinations are very efficient in preventing death and severe hospitalization, it’s important to remember that they do not offer 100% protection. So please wear a mask and keep physical distancing at all times. As more individuals get vaccinated, there may be more breakthrough cases, the CDC notes. While there have been some ground-breaking hospitalizations, all vaccines continue to offer the greatest protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
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