We are seeing about 2-3 times what we were seeing few weeks ago. Younger and unvaccinated. More covid icu than floor pts. Which is different. Numbers still way below winter numbers.
I don’t see those numbers coming back unless we have a variant with no protection from previous infection or vaccine. Unlikely.
Case numbers Nationally have started to jump, but that averages out the larger jumps in low vaccination areas, with the low stable case numbers in high vaccination areas.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_dailytrendscases
Due to below average vaccination rates, Arkansas is expected to have an above average number of Delta cases.
However, the elderly are strongly vaccinated, so Delta patients will likely be younger. After age, obesity is considered the second biggest risk factor for serious disease and death from COVID. I wonder if those younger ICU patients have above average BMIs?
Over the next few weeks, we will see how sharp of a wave Delta will produce. It seems to rise and crest quicker than the earlier variants, based on its pattern in India and the UK.
It will probably vary a lot from one area to the other, as vaccination rates have spread widely over the last three months, with some areas having double the vaccination rate of others.
We could see some very busy local outbreaks (and soon), like Springfield, Missouri is having - but National resources should not be strained.
Check out the jump of cases in Arkansas: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_dailytrendscases
(Pick Arkansas from the “Select a state or territory:” option)
As you reported, several times over recent levels. Steep growth curve.