The delta variant is in full force, leading to spikes in case rates and hospitalizations, but new strains, some presently classified as variants of interest, have the potential to become variants of concern — perhaps even more infectious than those currently in circulation.

Ala Dababneh
Delta plus, designated a variant of concern by the World Health Organization — categorizations from WHO may differ from U.S. classifications due to area of impact — and lambda, still labeled a variant of interest, are currently minimally present stateside but are raising the most worry. WHO states lambda may be more vaccine resistant, but not enough data is yet available to determine if either strain is more dangerous than the original delta.
As of Saturday, Wisconsin had 644 confirmed cases of delta, the strain which now accounts for over 93% of coronavirus cases in the nation.
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That variants continue to emerge, and in quick pace, is not a surprise, says Dr. Ala Dababneh of Mayo Clinic Health System.
“We’re going to keep having variants,” Dababneh says. “The virus is just going to keep changing over time. Any time it infects someone, we’re giving it a chance to change. Really what we’re doing right now is trying to keep track of those changes. We’re going to find plenty of mutations. ... We’re seeing evolution in real time.”
The race, right now, Dababneh says, is to vaccinate as many people as possible before a strain develops that proves impervious to inoculation, a potentially “catastrophic” possibility.
“We’re really trying to get everyone vaccinated so we can prevent the virus from getting mutated further,” Dababneh iterates. “It’s going to replicate, it’s going to mutate and make mistakes. If people want to do something about it, really you need to reduce the risk of infection and the number of people getting infected. So wearing a mask, social distancing, hand washing and getting the vaccine, which is widely available.”
In Wisconsin, 49.6% of residents were fully vaccinated as of Aug. 6, as were 55.8% of La Crosse County residents. Per the DHS, as of Friday Wisconsin’s seven-day average of new confirmed cases was 1,021, the highest in six months. Both the state as a whole and La Crosse County were categorized as having high case activity for the two week period ending Aug. 3.
Approval for COVID-19 vaccine use on those under 12 is anticipated by late 2021, and giving all age demographics the opportunity to get the shots will increase the percent population vaccinated. Reaching a 100% rate is not realistic, but “you can always try to vaccinate as many people as possible,” Dababneh says.
Ideally, emergency use authorization for youth would have been granted by the start of the school year, but protocols must be followed and indicate safety and efficacy are being taken seriously.
“I don’t think the vaccine was rushed for adults, and they’re not rushing it for the kids either,” Dababneh says.
At present, masking is advised by the CDC, DHS and La Crosse County Health Department in public places, regardless of vaccination status. While not currently mandated, Dababneh urges all individuals to follow the guidance. He also encourages people eligible for vaccination who have not yet gotten their shots to have conversations with their health care professionals rather than turning to social media for information.
“Bounce whatever concerns you may have against that provider and really come to an informed decision about that vaccine,” Dababneh says. “Because the vast majority of people who have declined the vaccine so far — it’s for reasons that have been debunked one way or another.”
IN PHOTOS: Local community members wear face masks
Holmen, Wis.

Three Holmen best friends show of their masks.
Jim Falls, Wis.

My granddaughter Johana and I - Getting through COVID-19 pandemic - "We can do it!"
La Crescent, MInn.

This is my 3 year old son Julian. I like to get my kids their favorite color and/or character to make it a little more fun to wear.
Working at the Tomah VA serving our Veterans during this pandemic!

In My Family We all Wear Our Masks Cindy And Baby V

mask made by fellow West Salem High School chemistry teacher

La Crosse punk

"My band had some masks printed to add to our merchandise line-up! Zammek - La Crosse Punk"
Lace for a lady

Caring for the community

A retired state social worker and her daughter who is a public school teacher say, “wearing masks when out and about is a simple and loving thing to do for your community.”
A mask with bling

Fancy that - a mask with bling!
Dinner guests

Having dinner guests together at home. Left to right, Don Smith, Mary Rohrer, and Nancy Korn Smith. We asked our readers to show off their masks for all to see. Use a form at https://go.lacrossetribune.com/Photos and send photos our way. We’ll put them in galleries that we will share on social media, and we’ll publish some of them in our papers.
A Friendly smile

"I intended this to my likeness and a friendly everyday mask. I was disappointed when i received it. Frankly, it's ridiculous...so I'll give readers a good laugh."
October 6: GIrls WIAA Division 2 sectional golf

Aquinas’ Alexis Smith hits an approach shot at the WIAA Division 2 girls golf sectional at Drugan’s Castle Mound in Holmen.
October 2: Edgar vs Onalaska

The Onalaska dance team performs at halftime.
October 2: Edgar vs Onalaska

Masked spectators watch the game.
September 22: Aquinas vs Onalaska

JB Weiser makes a save for Aquinas.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas

Aquinas’ Lauren Kelsey, left, and Victoria Nolte attempt a block on Westby’s Macy Stellner.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas

Aquinas’ Victoria Nolte serves.
September 17: Westby vs Aquinas

The Westby tem celebrates a point won.
Holmen school lunches

Heather Mathwig, right, and Analise Smith with the Holmen School District Nutrition Department bag individual pizzas at Holmen Middle School.
Noodles & Company

Menche Evans cooks in the kitchen at the new Noodles & Company in Onalaska.
September 10: Dover-Eyota vs. La Crescent-Hokah

La Crescent-Hokah girls soccer head coach Jake Smith talks with player Olivia Meyer.
Onalaska Football

Onalaska head coach Tom Yashinsky runs football practice.
College during COVID

Western Technical College student Emery Thompson has his temperature taken by human resources department employee Jackie Kettner before entering the bookstore.
College during COVID

Face mask wearing students walk to and from classes on the first day of the fall semester on the UW-La Crosse campus.
Vice President Pence at Dairyland

Attendees give applause during the "A Stronger America Workforce" event at Dairyland Power Cooperative.
Vice President Pence at Dairyland

A woman in attendance for the "A Stronger America Workforce" event at Dairyland Power Cooperative with Vice President Mike Pence wears a patriotic facemask.
Scooping up smiles

Marty Diersen with the Sweet Shop hands a cone to Joy Benson, a member of Logan High School’s class of 1969, dressed as the children’s book character Raggedy Ann.