DHS Now Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern B.1.617.2, the Delta Variant
Today, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services released new information about the newest variant of concern, variant B.1.617.2, also known as the Delta variant. Following the CDC’s recent classification update on June 14, DHS has been tracking the variant and will now begin providing current case counts that are updated weekly. The Delta variant was first identified in Wisconsin in April 2021. There are currently 26 cases of this newly classified variant of concern in Wisconsin. This strain was previously classified as a variant of interest but has since been raised to a variant of concern. The CDC has established criteria for identifying variants that may be more worrisome than others. DHS, using CDC’s criteria, publicly reports on variants of concern.
The newest variant of concern, referred to as the Delta variant, was first discovered to be circulating in India in samples dating back to October 2020. According to recent data, researchers believe that the Delta variant spreads more rapidly and easily than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. There is some evidence to suggest that therapeutics, such as monoclonal antibody treatments, may be less effective against these variant because of its unique mutations. Some laboratory studies have suggested that the antibodies produced by the body in response to natural infection or a COVID-19 vaccine may not defend against the Delta variant virus as well as the original strain. Fortunately, the COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. have shown to still provide protection against the Delta variant.
DHS will begin reporting current case counts that are updated weekly, starting tomorrow June 17. Learn more about variants of concern on our variant webpage.
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