As the state reels from the widespread delta variant, a major Texas hospital system has reported its first instance of the lambda COVID-19 variant.
The first lambda case was verified Monday at Houston Methodist Hospital, which has eight hospitals in its network.
Last week, Houston Methodist Hospital had a little more than 100 COVID-19 patients. According to a statement published by the hospital Monday, the number of those sick has risen to 185, with the majority of those afflicted being unvaccinated.
According to hospital officials, the delta variation was found in roughly 85 percent of the illnesses.
Dr. Marc Boom, president and CEO of the hospital, stated that “being vaccinated and reducing viral transmission” is “imperative.”
Despite the lambda variant’s discovery, scientists at Houston Methodist believe delta is still the most pressing worry in the United States.
“I don’t believe there is enough data to suggest that we should be more concerned about lambda than delta at this time; I still believe delta is our major worry. There’s a lot more evidence that delta is considerably more infectious, with significantly greater viral loads “Added he.
In a June study, the WHO stated that the lambda variation “has been associated with substantial rates of community transmission in various countries, with growing frequency over time along with increased COVID-19 incidence.” The variation was discovered in 29 nations in June.
Long stated that while positive rates and hospitalizations have increased at Houston Methodist, the situation on the ground is still “way below” the winter high.
According to official data, 51 percent of the state’s population aged 12 and up is completely immunized.