BISMARCK – The Department of Health has confirmed the delta variant of the COVID-19 virus has been detected in North Dakota. The case occurred in an adult who was not hospitalized.
“This variant is more easily transmitted from person to person and early data is indicating that this variant can cause serious disease, especially in those who are not vaccinated,” said Kirby Kruger, disease control and forensic pathology section chief. “This variant, because of its increased infectivity, is predicted to become the predominate virus variant circulating in the United States. Additionally, early evidence from a laboratory setting is showing that previous infection with COVID-19 may not protect against this variant.”
Early data is showing that mRNA vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, are 88% effective against symptomatic infection and are highly effective in protecting against severe disease and hospitalizations due to illness caused by the delta variant.
“We are encouraging all North Dakotans who are eligible to receive the vaccine to choose to get vaccinated,” said Molly Howell, immunization director. “The COVID-19 vaccines are the best tool we have to slow the emergence of this variant and all other variants of this virus. Data collected through the end of May indicates that unvaccinated North Dakotans are five times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 than those who are vaccinated.
To date surveillance for variants has detected 1078 variants of concern in North Dakota.
