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DENVER (KDVR) — Dr. Rachel Herlihy, State Epidemiologist for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and COVID-19 Incident Commander, Scott Bookman provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

Herlihy said the Delta variant of COVID-19 is concerning because it is much more transmissible. According to UK data, the risk of hospitalizations for patients positive with this variant are double.

The effectiveness of all COVID-19 vaccines is slightly lower against the Delta variant, Herlihy said, and almost all COVID cases in Mesa County are of the Delta variant.

The Delta variant makes up only 10% of cases in the U.S., but about 40% of cases in Colorado, and only Missouri has a higher percentage.

Hospitalizations are down and the counties with higher vaccination rates have lower case rates.