COVID Delta variant confirmed at Rocky Boy

Rocky Boy Health Center reported in Facebook post this afternoon that two cases of COVID-19 in the Rocky Boy community have been confirmed as being caused by the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19.

The variant was previously confirmed in a case in Blaine County.

"The Delta variant spreads faster and is more contagious than earlier strains of the virus," the post said. "The Delta COVID-19 variant is more transmissible and now has become the dominant strain in the United States.

"We strongly encourage everyone to become vaccinated against COVID-19," the post continues. "The vaccine is available to everyone 12 years and older and has been shown to provide protection against major illness, hospitalization and even death from the virus. People who have not been vaccinated are at very high risk of having severe illness from the Delta COVID-19 variant."

Most people who are vaccinated do not suffer from severe effects of contracting the virus if they become a breakthrough case. Data shows that almost all -- more than 99 percent -- of COVID-19-caused hospitalizations are in unvaccinated people and the chance of a COVID-19-related death in vaccinated people is even more rare.

But data is also showing that, unlike earlier versions of the virus, vaccinated people can spread the disease. That led Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reverse its advise from May when it said vaccinated people generally did not need to wear masks

With the transmission of the Delta variant by vaccinated people, CDC is again advising all people to wear masks when indoors and near groups of people.

The Rocky Boy post mirrors this.

"Masks also help prevent the spread of COVID-19," it said. "Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a mask in public indoor settings to protect yourself and others. Wash and sanitize your hands frequently, avoid large crowds and get vaccinated to protect our most vulnerable populations of elders and children."