South Texas does not have tests to detect the Delta variant of COVID-19; they fear that there are already infections

TEXAS – Health authorities in South Texas are on alert for the Delta variant of COVID – 19 .

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the situation has been cataloged as “worrying variant” .

In Hidalgo County, Cases of this variant have not yet been reported in the Rio Grande Valley region, but it was noted that this may be due to the lack of tests to detect it.

Dr. Federico Vallejo, pulmonologist, argued that the Delta variant “is going to become the dominant variant in United States very soon. “

” It infects easier, sticks to the cell easier, penetrates the cell more, fights the vaccine much more, produces less immunity, ” Dr. Meléndez explained about the variant.

According to studies, this virus doubles every 7 to 10 days, 20% cases related to this variant have already been reported in the country.

” And therefore it definitely has to be in the valley, in our Hidalgo County, but we have not had a confirmation of the Delta variant ”, said Dr. Meléndez.

Symptoms They are similar to those of the covid – 19 however this could be even more dangerous.

“We know that it is more communicable, that it causes more hospitalization and can potentially cause more deaths. We know that it is affecting more young people, but we do not know why young people have not been vaccinated as much as adults, ”said Dr. Vallejo.

Fully vaccinated people are protected to a 88 % if you received the Moderna or Pfizer dose and a 50% with that of Johnson & Johnson.

“If you are not vaccinated, I would be in a panic to be honest. The solution is vaccination. If you are not vaccinated, you should use your masks, your double masks as indicated by the CDC, stay at home, wash your hands ”, commented Dr. Vallejo.

Said variant It is only detected by a viral test, similar to that of COVID – 19, but this is not available in the Valley, only in the Texas state laboratory, for which the Hidalgo County Health Department has requested such tests.

Currently, 50% of people in Hidalgo County have been vaccinated, 50% in Cameron County and a 56% in Starr County.

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