With only 36% of the state fully vaccinated for COVID, health officials warn of the growing risks for unvaccinated individuals, especially with the highly contagious Delta variant. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere said the low vaccination rate equates to only one in three being fully immunized.
“That means two out of three people you see in the grocery store are not vaccinated. That means we have a lot of risk in our community and that means more people will die in this pandemic,” said Vanchiere.
Vanchiere said the Delta variant is responsible for 80% of the current cases and the variant is 50% more transmissible than the Alpha variant which was 50% more contagious than the original. The fourth surge has also sparked the Mayors of New Orleans and Shreveport to issue indoor mask advisories.
“None of us want us want to have to wear masks. It’s just not fun, none of us want to have to go back to lockdowns. The only way we can change that from happening again is to get vaccinated,” said Vanchiere.
On a positive note, Vanchiere said in the Shreveport area they are vaccinating two and a half times as many people this week compared to a month ago and many are receiving their first dose. He said if you are sick, the most important thing besides staying home is to get tested.
“Because the testing helps us understand what types of variants and viruses are circulating in our community. It helps us know where they are circulating and that helps us know where to target our interventions, our approaches,” said Vanchiere.
For a list of vaccination and testing sites visit ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.
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