Why You Still Need to Take the COVID-19 Delta Variant Seriously

We’ve had a lot to celebrate this summer. After vaccinations became widely available, COVID-19 cases dropped to the lowest levels we’d seen since the early days of the virus back in the spring of 2020. But shortly after we got comfortable taking off our masks, traveling, and spending more time in person with friends and family, the Delta variant arrived. A genetic mutation of the original coronavirus, the Delta variant is driving a huge surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the country, including in Indiana. The variant is significantly easier to spread and is most likely to affect the unvaccinated, including children. But we can do a lot to minimize the spread of the virus and protect our communities.

Safety Tips During Covid-19

In response to the latest surge in acute illness, we implore Angola and the greater Steuben County community to continue taking this virus seriously. Here’s what we recommend.

Get Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19

The greatest protection against the Delta variant is also the most obvious one: the vaccine. Vaccines are widely available throughout Steuben County, and they’re free. If you haven’t yet become fully vaccinated, please do so as soon as possible.

Cameron’s Immunization Clinic is also open every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To sign up, please visit ourshot.in.gov, call 211 or call the Cameron Immunization Clinic at 260-667-5622.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated are less likely to contract the virus and, in instances where they do contract the virus, they are more likely to have mild symptoms and extremely less likely to require hospitalization. Unvaccinated individuals are at significantly greater risk for sickness, hospitalization and even death from COVID-19.

Get a Booster Shot or Third Dose

Researchers say that a booster shot or third dose of the vaccine will considerably reduce the number of Delta cases. At this time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) both approve and endorse booster doses for Johson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines.

Adults who received the Johson & Johnson shot two or more months ago are eligible for a second booster dose of any of the three vaccinations. Those who received Moderna or Pfizer vaccinations as their primary series six or more months ago are also eligible if they are:

• Age 65 or older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care facilities
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who live and/or work in high-risk settings including, but not limited to, healthcare workers, teachers, first responders, restaurant workers and grocery store workers.

Additionally, the FDA and CDC have recommended a third dose of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for some immunocompromised people.

To sign up for your booster shot or third dose, please visit ourshot.in.gov, call 211 or call the Cameron Immunization Clinic at 260-667-5622.

Continue Following Prevention and Control Recommendations

The CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public settings in areas of substantial or high transmission and keeping at least six feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household. These recommendations apply to everyone, including individuals who have been fully vaccinated, since they can still be infected by the Delta variant.

Keep Up with Visitor Restrictions at Cameron Hospital

To better protect patients, staff, and members of the community from the Delta variant, we’ve increased visitor restrictions at all Cameron facilities. Under the updated restrictions, we’ve decreased the number of visitors who can see patients at a time, mandated masks for staff, patients, and visitors, implemented screening procedures, and more.

If you have any questions, visit our COVID-19 resource page.