Coronavirus: ‘We have a tale of two pandemics’ in America – Yahoo Finance

The growing number of COVID cases in the U.S. indicates a major divide between the vaccinated population and those who choose to remain unvaccinated.

The 7-day moving average of new cases increased by 16% last week, according to CDC data, and roughly 93% of those cases were among counties with low vaccination rates.

The problem is we have a tale of two pandemics, Dr. Andre Campbell, a California-based ICU physician and trauma surgeon, said on Yahoo Finance Live recently (video above). Where I live in San Francisco We have 70-80% of people vaccinated. But if you go to other places in the South, the vaccination rate is 30 to 40%.

Much of this stems from political polarization: Republican-dominated areas, some led by politicians who have added vaccine skepticism to their messaging, generally have lower vaccinated rates.

What Im fearing is this: These pockets where people are not vaccinated in the South, what happens in the fall when it comes back again which it will there are going to be outbreaks, Campbell said. And things like whats going on in Missouri right now: In Missouri, theres a horrible outbreak among unvaccinated people and theyre calling for help.

In Missouri, which is seeing a 7-day moving average of 1,597 new cases, 73% of the cases have been linked to the Delta variant, according to the CDC. Only 39.8% of the population in the state is fully vaccinated.

Its almost like New York again, where theyre placing calls for doctors, respiratory therapists... so what were trying to do is get to the point where we could get more people vaccines because thats the thing that will get us out of this, Campbell said.

There are currently three vaccines available in the U.S.: Pfizer (PFE)s, Moderna (MRNA)s, and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)s.

All three are said to be at least somewhat effective against the strains of the virus, including the newer Delta and Lambda variants.

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In Maryland, they just reported that 99% of people who got COVID were not vaccinated, Campbell said. The reality is the vaccines protect you now, even against the Delta variant. Theres a Lambda variant today. They just came out with another double variant and you have to remember, these viruses are built to mutate. So the more theyre out in the general population of unvaccinated people, the more it puts people at risk.

May 14, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Spectators dress for Black-Eyed Susan Day while following COVID protocols at Pimlico Race Course. (Photo: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports)

The percentage of those vaccinated with at least one dose in Mississippi is just 37%, with Louisiana not far behind at 39%. Other states lagging include Tennessee, Alabama, Wyoming, and Idaho. Concurrently, most of those states are seeing a significant uptick in cases over the last 14 days.

The thing were worried about is that in the last week or so, the rate of infections [nationally] has gone up about 50%, Campbell said. That may be tied to the reopening and people not masking because the masking mandates are starting to go away. These are mainly in people who are not vaccinated. If you are vaccinated, you are very protected against all the variants we have right now.

Consequently, Campbell stressed the importance of trying to convince unvaccinated individuals to reconsider their discussion.

What we have to do is were going to have to strike up a very subtle discussion to make sure people understand that we want to make sure theyre protected, Campbell said. There will be some masking mandates, because this thing is not going to go away like we hope it will unless we go on an international campaign to eradicate this thing, much like what happened with smallpox and other things like that, because were not there yet right now.

Croix Hill receives her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Ochsner Center for Primary Care and Wellness in New Orleans, May 13, 2021. REUTERS/Kathleen Flynn

Out of more than 157 million people vaccinated in the U.S., there have been under 5,200 breakthrough cases that led to hospitalization or death as of July 6. Thats a paltry 0.003% rate.

"Youre not a guinea pig," Campbell said, referring to the safety of the vaccine. "310 million people have gotten this thing and theyve been saved. I think the message is: 'Its safe. Itll protect you and youre not going to die, or youre not going to get really sick.'

Furthermore, as various version of the virus continue to circulate, unvaccinated people are at risk.

If youre unvaccinated, youre in trouble," Campbell said. "If youre vaccinated, youre going to be safe.

Adriana Belmonte is a reporter and editor covering politics and health care policy for Yahoo Finance. You can follow her on Twitter @adrianambells and reach her at adriana@yahoofinance.com.

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Coronavirus: 'We have a tale of two pandemics' in America - Yahoo Finance