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Delta variant as contagious as chickenpox, CDC internal document says


National reports say an internal document from the CDC says the Delta variant appears to spread as easily as chickenpox (FOX 17 News File)
National reports say an internal document from the CDC says the Delta variant appears to spread as easily as chickenpox (FOX 17 News File)
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — An internal document obtained by national news outlets including Sinclair, shows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states the COVID-19 delta variant appears to be as contagious as chickenpox.

The document, which is an unpublished CDC presentation, says that the delta variant, which is causing virus surges across the U.S., appears to be able to spread as easily as chickenpox, and more so than smallpox, the common cold, and even the 1918 "Spanish" flu.

The mention is on slide 15 of the presentation, which is embedded below.

CNN reports that vaccinated people might be able to spread the delta variant at the same rate as unvaccinated people. The outlet says the report is expected to be published Friday. Reports say vaccinated people are still safer, as vaccines prevent 90% or more of severe diseases from the virus.

The document also states that the delta variant is more transmissible than:

Previously known as the "Indian variant" and first discovered in India, the delta variant is also known as B.1.617.2.

Dr. James E.K. Hildreth, infectious disease expert and President/CEO of Meharry Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. appeared on MSNBC Thursday night.

He says the Delta variant is fueling infection surges in Tennessee and across the nation.

This is not the same virus that we started with back in January 2020," Dr. Hildreth stated on "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell" show. "It's clearly a different virus...clearly we have to be more vigilant about this virus.

This comes as the CDC updates its mask guidance, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the delta variant of the coronavirus is fueling infection surges — including in Tennessee and dozens of other states.

Indoor masks are also recommended for all school staff and students going into the fall semester.

With less than half of the U.S. population fully vaccinated and the highly transmissible delta variant taking hold across the country, health experts said it was only a matter of time.

U.S. officials are expected to release more COVID-19 data Friday to show what led to the CDC's mask recommendations.

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