Detroit Physicians on the Frontlines of Latest COVID-19 Spike Discuss Breakthrough Cases and Delta Variant

The highly contagious delta variant is now the predominant strain of the novel coronavirus in Michigan. It’s likely to be a big factor in a concerning new trend many of us have been hearing more and more about: breakthrough cases among the fully vaccinated.

“[The emergency department is] not only dealing with COVID, but we are dealing with other emergencies and other illnesses that would normally have presented, which is a good thing. But the point is, we are busier than ever.” –Dr. Frank McGeorge, Henry Ford Health System

In most instances, breakthrough cases are milder than for those who haven’t been vaccinated. But it’s still a startling wake-up call that this pandemic is still very much with us.

Listen: Local doctors discuss rise in COVID-19 cases, the delta variant, and vaccine hesitancy and resistance.

Guests

Dr. Frank McGeorge is an emergency room physician at Henry Ford Health System and the Good Health medical expert for WDIV Local 4.

He says the emergency room at Henry Ford is “not only dealing with COVID, but we are dealing with other emergencies and other illnesses that would normally have presented, which is a good thing. But the point is, we are busier than ever.”

“The samples sequenced by the state in the last four weeks in the last month 99% are delta,” says McGeorge. “So just playing the odds, it’s a very strong bet that everything that we are seeing, or 99% of what we are seeing now, is delta … So delta is is most likely driving all of our surge right now.”

McGeorge says breakthrough cases are happening, but the most important thing to keep in mind is that all of the data and research available now still shows that vaccines are “highly protective” against COVID-19.

“When you look at the data of deaths that occurred this summer, so when a large percentage of the population has been vaccinated, not a majority but the large percentage has been vaccinated, what we found is that in terms of deaths, 96% of deaths occurred in unvaccinated people,” he says. “And the point to that is, if the vaccine had no effect, it would be a 50/50 split. Basically, 50% of the deaths would be in vaccinated as well as unvaccinated. So the large skew to unvaccinated people dying, 96% of deaths occur in unvaccinated people, says that the vaccines are doing their job and skewing the death rate if you do develop COVID-19.”

“We are seeing that even with a delta variant and the newer studies of cases over the summer, that the efficacy of the vaccine in preventing persons who are vaccinated from getting hospitalized or from dying is holding high.” –Dr. Leslie Rabaut, Plum Health Direct Primary Care

Dr. Leslie Rabaut is a family physician at Plum Health Direct Primary Care in Corktown. She says fully vaccinated people need to be cautious with the delta variant spreading.

“We have had several breakthrough cases in young patients — young, otherwise healthy, 20-year-old, active persons who were fully vaccinated — getting most likely the delta variant at things like weddings and large gatherings and get togethers,” says Rabaut.

She emphasizes that getting vaccinated is still the best way to avoid getting very sick from COVID-19.

“Even though we are seeing some more breakthrough infections, and we’re seeing that the risk of having maybe mild flu-like illness or getting sick at home is increased with a delta variant, we are seeing that even with a delta variant and the newer studies of cases over the summer, that the efficacy of the vaccine in preventing persons who are vaccinated from getting hospitalized or from dying is holding high,” says Rabaut.