The Imperial County Public Health Department is monitoring variants of the COVID-19 virus.

So far , two cases of the Delta variant have been detected in Imperial County residents. The Delta variant is concerning because it seems to be spreading much more easily than the original virus and other variants according to the Health Department. The Delta variant is also becoming more common in the U.S. The Delta variant may also cause more severe infections , including those that lead to hospitalization. The variants currently circulating in Imperial County are the Alpha and Gamma variants.

Currently , the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) has found that all 3 vaccines authorized for use in the United States are highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from these variants. The Public Health Department encourages residents to get vaccinated to prevent further spread of the virus. As of Wednesday more than 200,000 doses of the CVID-19 vaccine have been administered in imperial County.