CDC's new study finds Delta variant produces similar viral loads in vaccinated, unvaccinated

Washington: The US's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) new study found that the Delta variant of Covid-19 virus produced a similar amount of virus in vaccinated and unvaccinated people after being infected, reports IANS. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky highlighted how the study demonstrated that Delta infection gave similar results of high SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

The cycle threshold values from specimens of both vaccinated and unvaccinated were similar too.

The CDC study, published on Friday, subjected 469 Covid-19 cases identified among Massachusetts residents who had been to Barnstable County for summer vacation during July 3 to 17. Three hundred forty-six were fully vaccinated among the subjected group, and they constitute around 74 per cent of the group, the study found. Also, the Delta variant was found in 90 per cent of specimens from 133 patients.

Walensky said that high viral loads suggest that vaccinated people infected with Delta variant could transmit it to others, unlike other variants. This discovery is pivotal and concerning while leading to CDC's updated mask recommendation, she said.

The CDC had updated its mask recommendation on Tuesday. The US population was asked to resume wearing masks, whether vaccinated or not, in public and public indoor spaces at Covid-19 hot spots in the country.