Surprise: New COVID-19 Infections Returning To Pre-Vaccine Levels In Minnesota
While the COVID vaccines work extremely well in preventing severe illness and death, it’s become clear that people who were vaccinated more than six months ago have very little protection from getting infected (and transmitting the virus to others). It’s why I always wear an N95 mask (reminder: those dumb little blue paper masks that hang from your ears are basically useless) if I’m in a public indoor place.
News from Minnesota (read full article here):
Breakthrough COVID-19 cases in fully vaccinated Minnesotans have been increasing amid the rise of the delta variant, which is responsible for more than 99% of new infections in the state. The rise could reflect waning immunity in the earliest vaccine recipients, which include seniors and people with underlying illnesses who tend to have weaker immune system responses to the shots. While vaccines might be losing some effectiveness at preventing any infections, studies show they remain protective against severe illness, hospitalization and death.
Minneapolis-based Allina Health reported 249 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 on Monday, and that 77 (31%) were fully vaccinated. Among 51 patients receiving intensive care, six (12%) were fully vaccinated.
Full story here.
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