COVID Delta variant is here: What can families do to stay safe?

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BySteve Campion KTRK logo
Friday, June 18, 2021
Delta COVID-19 variant now in Houston, but should we be worried?
The delta COVID-19 variant, which was first detected in India, has now been reported in more than 80 countries, according to the World Health Organization. Now, experts say it's made it to Houston. ABC13's Steve Campion explains what we should be doing to stay healthy.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A new coronavirus mutation known as the "Delta variant" of COVID-19 is already in Houston.

Doctors said the good news right now is that it's not the primary strain. However, the CDC director did warn the more contagious virus could soon become the dominant strain across America.

SEE ALSO: Delta COVID-19 variant is now in more than 80 countries, WHO says

Eyewitness News spoke with pediatric infectious disease specialist with UTHealth and UT Physicians, Dr. Michael Chang, about the new variant. Chang shared his opinion on what parents should do if their child doesn't have access to the vaccine yet.

"Luckily in our region, the Delta variant is not the primary variant right now," said Chang. "For parents of kids who don't have access to vaccine yet, the best thing to do is keep on doing all the physical distancing, hand washing, hygiene, masks [and] all those things we've been doing for the last year and a half. That will still be the best way to keep our kids safe."

SEE ALSO: UTMB testing new COVID variant found in India against vaccines

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