DELTA VARIANT
- Delta variant: why is it contagious? Do symptoms look the same?
When people are infected with the Delta variant, they produce a thousand times more virus and are more contagious for longer periods. The latest data shows that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people have similar amounts of the delta variant and are contagious when infected.
More information is coming out about the Delta variant in upcoming weeks.
The symptoms are the same as for all COVID-19 infections, and can range from mild to severe:
fever/chills, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, runny nose, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea.
Vaccinated people are much less likely to have severe symptoms.
- How dangerous is Delta during pregnancy? (Fully Pfizer vaccinated in March)
Although the overall risk of severe illness is low, fully vaccinated pregnant people and recently pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 when compared to fully vaccinated non-pregnant people.
We’re currently learning that Delta is way more contagious than other variants for everyone, not just pregnant people.
Swipe up for the new CDC report: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7031e2.htm?s_cid=mm7031e2_w
- If I get the variant, can I spread it even though I’m vaccinated?
Yes. But, vaccination makes it less likely for someone to catch and spread COVID-19. When vaccinated people do become infected, their illness is typically mild and not serious (they may not even have symptoms). New data show that when vaccinated people catch the Delta variant of COVID-19, they can be contagious.
- I heard on the news that delta is “as contagious as chicken pox.” True?
Delta spreads more than twice as easily from one person to another, compared with earlier strains! When people are infected with the Delta variant, they produce a thousand times more virus. Like chicken pox, it is a very contagious virus.
- Re Delta: safe for unvaccinated children to be unmasked indoors with vaccinated folks?
To protect unvaccinated children, the State of Washington states that:
• Children 5 years or older are required to wear a mask in indoor public settings.
• Children who are 2 to 4-years-old are strongly recommended to wear a mask in public settings (with the assistance and supervision of an adult).
TRAVEL
- Traveling with a kid. Should I cancel my trip?
We can’t give a yes or no answer–unsatisfying, we know!
There are so many variables to consider in weighing the risk including:
• the infection and vaccination rates at home and the destination
• the mode of travel
• activities you plan to engage in
In general, parts of the world where there is a higher spread of COVID and lower vaccination rates will increase your risk of being exposed to the virus. We encourage you to follow all public health recommendations but ultimately decide what is best for you and your kids.
BREAKTHROUGH CASES
- What breakthrough rates are you seeing in KC right now?
We’re crunching the numbers right now and will inform everyone within the upcoming weeks!
Stay tuned.
- How likely is a vaccinated person to get LONG COVID?
Currently, long COVID appears to be *very unlikely if you are vaccinated*.
Vaccination provides excellent protection against COVID-19 and greatly reduces your chance of getting sick. However, no vaccine is 100% protective, but even if someone who is vaccinated gets infected, their illness is typically mild and not serious.
MASKS
- Should we wear masks indoors in settings where everyone is vaccinated?
If you’re in a private setting where you know everyone is vaccinated, you don’t have to wear masks indoors. However, many folks may still choose to wear a mask in this scenario just to be extra cautious.
- Do you guys have free disposable face mask in Burien – SeaTac area?
Yes! Organizations throughout King County offer free masks to the public.
Visit kingcounty.gov/maskdistribution to find a location near you (swipe up!)
OR email Michael Padilla Ocampo at mpadillaocampo@kingcounty.gov.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
- Should unvaccinated people who choose to get vaccinated choose a specific vaccine?
All the vaccines provide good protection, so here are some things to consider:
• 12-17 years old? Pfizer is the only vaccine authorized for this group right now.
• Only want one dose? Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one shot.
• For women younger than 50, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has a low risk of a very rare but serious reaction possible involving blood clots and low platelet counts.
• For adolescents and young adults, there is a low risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) with Moderna and Pfizer. Most patients responded well to treatment and quickly felt better.
• For most people, the benefits of protection provided by the vaccines far outweigh any of the low risks.
- Is King County considered a high-transmission area?
We are currently experiencing “substantial” community transmission in King County.
As of last Thursday, we have 61.2 COVID cases over the past 7 days per 100,000 residents.
For more: kingcounty.gov/covid/data
BOOSTERS
- Is there a possibility for a booster shot?
There is a possibility. No booster doses are currently recommended. Two doses of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) or 1 dose of J&J have shown strong protection. But if the level of protection decreases with the new variants, the FDA and CDC will likely recommend a booster dose in the future.
It is likely that boosters will be recommended for immunocompromised and elderly people.
- How nervous should I be if I was vaccinated in January about Pfizer wearing off?
We’re still studying how long protection of our current vaccines will last.
Currently, all FDA-approved vaccines still show strong protection against severe illness, hospitalizations, and death from COVID, if infected.
QUARANTINE
- Young son exposed, do I need to keep distanced from him until he’s tested?
Since your son was exposed, it’s best to follow CDC’s recommendation to:
• Get tested,
• stay home and distanced from others for 10-14 days.
We know that as a parent, keeping distance can be difficult, especially with younger kids. There may be some things you can do such as use separate bathrooms and bedrooms, for instance.
Do what’s realistic for your household and have him tested 3-5 days after exposure. Results are usually back in 1-3 days at most.
If symptoms develop, even after a negative test, it is best to have a 2nd follow up test.
For more: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html
- What are the current quarantine guidelines after symptoms or exposure?
Unvaccinated folks should quarantine for 10-14 days even if they have no symptoms and get tested 3 to 5 days after exposure. If 14 days is not possible, then try for at least seven days.
Those vaccinated who have been exposed but don’t have symptoms should test 3-5 days after exposure and wear a mask indoors for 14 days or until they receive a negative test.
In any case, anyone vaccinated or not who develops symptoms should quarantine and get tested. If symptoms develop, even after a negative test, test again. https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/care/quarantine.aspx
TESTING
- Does new testing guidance mean vaccinated individuals will have to quarantine too?
Anyone who is vaccinated and doesn’t have symptoms should still test 3-5 days after exposure and wear a mask indoors for 14 days or until they receive a negative test and watch for symptoms.
Anyone who is experiencing COVID-like symptoms, even if vaccinated, should seek testing and quarantine.
Swipe up for more! kingcounty.gov/covid/quarantine
- Do I need to get tested if I only have 1 of symptoms which could be from allergy/food?
Anyone with signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested as early as possible. Best to be safe just in case!
For free testing sites in King County: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/testing.aspx
LOCKDOWN
- Is another total lockdown possible?
While we can’t predict the future, our hope is that as more people get vaccinated, the uptick in cases will decline and we won’t have to rely on mitigation measures like stay at home orders.
As more people across Washington and King County get vaccinated, public health officials are regularly evaluating and adjusting public health measures to ensure the safety of all as people return to day-to-day activities.
We know it can be confusing and, sometimes, frustrating to have to reinstate protective measures that many had hoped they were finished with. But unfortunately, COVID-19 has not gone away, and people’s lives are still at stake.
We have to stay flexible as conditions change and as the impact in our communities continues to shift, including the possibility of reinstating stricter reopening measures.
- Have we opened up too fast or have a false sense of security?
When health experts made the decision to loosen restrictions, it was based on the effects of the virus on both vaccinated and unvaccinated people at that time. Severe disease and hospitalizations were low and over 70% of King County residents were fully vaccinated – which was a major milestone!
With the more contagious Delta variant and increased cases, we’re changing our approach. Wearing a mask and getting vaccinated are the most effective tools to prevent further spread. That’s why we’re continuing to work to make sure that at least 70% of all eligible adults are fully vaccinated across all racial and ethnic groups and regions of the County. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting close!
- Many tech companies are calling workers back to the office. Should we be WFH?
Private companies and businesses have the right to implement return to work policies as they see fit for their employees, such as hybrid models for office and remote work and requiring proof of vaccination.
Public Health continues to encourage employers to follow current guidance and requirements from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries on worker safety, and following the latest public health information on COVID-19 trends.
KIDS AND SCHOOL
- When will children 12 and under get the vaccine?
We don’t know yet. What we do know is that both Pfizer and Moderna are currently running clinical trials for kids.
We are hopeful that Pfizer will be approved before the end of year for children 12 and under, with Moderna following after.
- Are we going back to school in person?
Yes, all schools will be in person in the fall.
Schools must offer full time in-person education for all interested students. Schools may also provide additional programming for students unable or unwilling to return.
The state sets these requirements.