Local concerns over another shutdown heat up as Delta variant spreads

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) As the Delta variant continues to wreak havoc across the country, sending up cases and hospitalizations mainly among the unvaccinated, local concerns about what that will mean for the fall are becoming more palpable.

Delta variant COVID-19 cases have popped up here on the Central Coast, where local health departments are tracking the prevalence among those who are hospitalized.

"What we're finding is that with Delta, because it does shed so much virus, the vaccines are probably not as good at preventing infection within the vaccinated population," said Dr. David Ghilarducci, an official with the Santa Cruz County Health Department. "If we start seeing that kind of the same level of urgency, then we're probably going to have to institute some more social distancing measures. Especially now because just being vaccinated doesn't mean you can't catch it and you can't pass it on to somebody else."  

According to CBS News, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already stated that "the war has changed" against COVID-19. An internal report also suggests the CDC believes the Delta variant could be as contagious as Chickenpox.