North Dakota sees massive increase in COVID-19 variant cases - Valley News Live

(Valley News Live) - In the past week, the number of Delta variant cases in North Dakota jumped 1900%, and with a vaccination rate just under 40%, health officials are worried another surge in infections, hospitalizations, or deaths may hit the state very soon.

North Dakota Department of Health’s Immunization Program Manager Molly Howell said the Delta variant of COVID-19 is potentially 60-80% more infectious than the previous strains.

“I think with our low vaccination rate that’s exactly what we can expect in the next 1 month or 2.” said Sanford Health Dr.

The vaccine rate for people 65 and older in North Dakota is 75%, and Essentia Health Dr.