Rise Of Delta Variant Concerns Some Health Officials [POLL]

NEW YORK — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced June 15 that the Delta variant of the new coronavirus was a "variant of concern" because it spreads more easily.

The health agency said the spread of the variant, combined with the number of people in the United States who remain unvaccinated, leaves many people at risk of infection.

In spite of that concern, the CDC hasn't altered its recommendation for the use of masks by people who are fully vaccinated, differing with the World Health Organization, Los Angeles County and St. Louis and Jefferson counties, which includes the city of St. Louis.

In late June, WHO reemphasized its longtime recommendation that everyone, even people who had completed a vaccination series, should wear masks indoors in public places as a precautionary measure.

On Monday, Los Angeles County health officials also recommended wearing masks indoors in public.

On Thursday, Tishaura Jones, the mayor of St. Louis, Missouri, said she was concerned about the Delta variant and the state's coronavirus infection trending in the wrong direction.

To that end, health officials in the St. Louis region are recommending — but not requiring — the wearing of masks in indoor places even if fully vaccinated, KMOV4 reported.

Health experts said the Delta variant is now the second-most common new strain found in New York City. It accounts for slightly more than 17 percent of cases tested for different coronavirus strains over the past month.

In Ulster County in the mid-Hudson Valley, a resident who had been vaccinated against the coronavirus tested positive for the Delta variant, the county announced Monday.

County Executive Pat Ryan said it was a critical reminder that, while great progress against the virus has been made, "we are not out of the woods yet."

He urged all residents to remain vigilant and proactive to help blunt the further spread of the virus.

So now it's your turn to weigh in on the issue. Vote in our unscientific poll and tell us what you think in the comments.