Delta variant surges to predominant COVID-19 strain in N.J. – NJ.com

The highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 that has been causing concerns across the globe is now the predominant strain in New Jersey, accounting for 41% of new variant cases last month, officials said Monday.

For the week ending June 26, the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) accounted for 70% of the variant cases identified in the Garden State, according to the latest state Department of Health surveillance report. The state monitors the variants in four-week spans, and this marks the first time the Delta variant overtook the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) previously known as the U.K. strain.

The Delta variant was first detected in India in December and has spread to at least 80 countries. In the U.S., 24 states have seen at least 10% upticks in COVID-19 cases, with the Delta variant accounting for more than 51% of all new cases between June 20 and July 3, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Scientists say the strain is more transmissible than other variants but are still researching whether it’s more deadly.

Officials say vaccines have proven to be successful against variants — especially against more serious illness, hospitalizations, and deaths — and New Jersey’s relatively high vaccination rate has prevented more large-scale Delta outbreaks seen in other states. But officials stress that unvaccinated residents remain exposed and provide the virus a breeding ground to keep mutating. Plus, some experts say vaccinated people who catch so-called breakthrough cases can pass it to unvaccinated people.

“We encourage residents who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves, their children, their loved ones, and the community.” state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said Monday at New Jersey’s latest COVID-19 briefing in Trenton.

Persichilli said “virtually all COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are among those who are unvaccinated,” though officials have not provided specific data.

Added Murphy: “Please, please, please get vaccinated.”

New confirmed cases, hospitalizations, and deaths remain relatively low in New Jersey, but positive tests have started to increase again over the last week after months of steady declines.

The state’s seven-day average for newly confirmed positive PCR COVID-19 tests is now 260, up 14% from a week ago and 34% from a month ago. That, however, is far below the seven-day averages for new cases in early May, when that number hovered around 1,000.

New Jersey on Monday reported another 227 coronavirus cases and four additional deaths.

Dr. Christina Tan, the state epidemiologist, said Monday the proportions of variants in general will “fluctuate over time.” She noted the COVID-19 variant that first spread at the start of the pandemic in the spring of 2020 does is no longer detectable.

“That’s why it’s really important for us to monitor that activity, but most importantly to keep these variants — new variants — from emerging,” Tan said. “We really have to get the vaccination coverage optimized.”

More than 5.11 million people who live, work or study in 9.2-million resident New Jersey have now been fully vaccinated, according to state data. That’s on top of any natural immunity people may have because they caught COVID-19 and survived. Still, the state’s vaccination rate has slowed in recent months, and about four million residents also remain unvaccinated.

A May study from Public Health England found two doses of the Pfizer vaccine were 88% effective at preventing symptomatic illness from the Delta variant and was even better at preventing hospitalization and death. The number, however, falls to 33% for those with only one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Data from Israel showed the vaccine is 64% effective in preventing infections from the Delta variant, though it’s still 93% effective at preventing hospitalizations and severe symptoms.

Pfizer has said a third, booster shot helps protect against the variant, but the CDC has said it’s not yet necessary.

MORE: If booster shots are needed for COVID vaccine, how will you get one in N.J.?

Murphy has already lifted the majority of New Jersey’s coronavirus restrictions, though mask mandates remain on NJ Transit and in state buildings, among some other places. He has also ended the state’s emergency over the pandemic, though he retains some powers to keep managing the state’s response.

The governor said last week the state’s COVID-19 numbers are “very strong” but noted officials are watching the Delta variant “very, very closely” and are keeping “all options on the table” when it comes to the possibility of re-installing any restrictions.

Murphy said Monday he understands if some residents who have gotten vaccinated would feel punished if there were new restrictions. He also stand he knows there are legitimate concerns by many who have not gotten their shots — including those in the Black community and those who have health issues.

“But there’s multiple of those populations of people who are listening to myths, listening to garbage,” Murphy said. “They need to be called out.”

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.