Seventy-four per cent of the 469 cases investigated by CDC were in fully vaccinated people. The Delta variant was confirmed by genome sequencing of the samples of 119 of the 133 participants in the study. Clear Covid-19 symptoms were seen in a large majority of cluster members, with CDC stating that 79 percent had developed them.Five of the five people in this group were admitted to hospital, and four were vaccinated. The study revealed that none of them died.The viral load of 127 sick vaccinated individuals was also similar to that seen in the 84 unvaccinated who were infected with the variant. This suggests that the virus could spread equally well from the vaccinated to the unvaccinated. This finding prompted CDC once again to recommend that all people living in high-transmission areas wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.High viral loads indicate a higher risk of transmission. This raises concern that people vaccinated with Delta virus can transmit it, Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director, said. This is a worrying finding that led to the CDC's revised mask recommendation.Two days ago, the CDC released new data. This comes after it recommended that Americans who live in high-transmission areas wear a mask indoors.This was a devastating setback for Biden's administration, which had hoped to end the pandemic by lowering the mask recommendation for people who were vaccinated in May.The Delta variant has driven Covid-19 case numbers sharply up over the past 4 weeks. This has triggered a scramble in the administration to stop the resurgence. It also sparks fears that President Joe Biden could lose his broader agenda if a prolonged battle with this variant continues.The CDC reported Wednesday that the average daily number of new infections rose to 66,000 from 13,000 just a month ago. Officials from the Health Department have increased their vaccination efforts in response to this. They stress that although people who have been vaccinated can still contract Covid-19 but are far less likely than those who have not been vaccinated.Already, the CDC guidelines have sparked a vocal backlash in parts of the GOP. This reaction was exacerbated when the agency delayed releasing the data that backed its decision.Others have criticized the agency for not dropping their May masking recommendations, particularly considering the possibility of more dangerous variants.Biden officials have claimed that the recent decision-making was based solely on evolving data about the Covid-19's spread and growing concern over the rapid spread of the Delta variant throughout the country.
