LAWRENCE – Like many communities in the region lately, Douglas County has seen an increase in new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks, likely due to the emergence of the more contagious Delta variant. Unlike prior surges of new cases, this one occurs in an environment where a significant number of the population is fully vaccinated, which is providing protection for those who have done so.
Among 53 new cases reported to LDCPH disease investigators since July 1, 33 have been among those unvaccinated but eligible. Six cases were among those too young for the current vaccines.
- Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health to date has no reports of a Douglas County resident fully vaccinated having to be hospitalized for COVID-19. The vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness and especially protecting those most vulnerable.
- Breakthrough infections are normal and occur with other vaccines, but the key is the vaccines have been effective at reducing chances for severe illness and complications due to COVID-19.
Dan Partridge, Director of Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health said with the emergence of the Delta variant and how it can put people who are unvaccinated at risk, LDCPH and Unified Command Partners are very concerned about the populations in our community with lower rates of vaccination. This includes those under the age of 35 and people who live outside the zip code 66049. Partners are also working diligently to increase access to the vaccine among people who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color to ensure everyone in the community is protected against COVID-19.
“Our community has done a great job on so many fronts throughout the pandemic,” Partridge said. “Our overall vaccination rate has put us in the position we are with lower case rates and hospitalizations, but we just ask our community to continue to be smart and safe, and we encourage those unvaccinated to seek out appointments or information from trusted medical sources if they are in need of guidance.”
Anyone interested in booking a vaccine appointment or learning more about incentives for getting vaccinated can visit LDCHealth.org/COVIDVaccine. Businesses and organizations interested in LDCPH providing a vaccine clinic or COVID testing on site can also visit LDCHealth.org/COVIDClinic to make a request.
Visit LDCHealth.org/Coronavirus or douglascountyks.org/coronavirus for more information about the Douglas County pandemic response.