Infectious Disease Expert Warns Delta Variant Could Stick Around For a Month or More, Blames Incorrect Mask Use

(KNSI) – An infectious disease expert says the recent COVID-19 Delta variant surge will be with us for at least the next month, if not longer.

University of Minnesota Doctor Michael Osterholm tells NBC’s Meet the Press, “Even if this increase that we’re seeing in the southern sunbelt states, which has been dramatic, if these other states take off, then I think this surge could sustain itself for at least another four to six weeks.”

Dr. Osterholm explained that the Delta variant spreads much easier than previous variants, which is why the numbers have seen a big jump in the last few weeks. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, last week, there were more than 7,000 new COVID-19 infections across the state between Monday and Friday. This includes 543 in the five-county St. Cloud area. There were also 35 new COVID-19 related deaths confirmed in Minnesota this week, including two people from Wright County and one from Stearns.

He added that masks are not as effective as people think, mainly because they don’t wear them correctly. Following a study done by his department, he said, “we find routinely 20 to 25% of the population will continue to wear the mask under their nose. That’s nothing more than a diaper for your chin.”

If people are going to wear masks, he recommends something more than a homemade fabric mask. “You need more effective masking, such as the N95 masks that we talk about, or the KN95 for kids.”

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