PEKIN, Ill. — Pekin-based Reditus Labs has released new data indicating the Delta variant is mutating rapidly in Illinois, and nearly all who have tested positive for COVID-19 are infected with the variant.
In a news release Friday night, Reditus said it has identified 361 new Delta variant cases in a sequencing run on August 12. Reditus said the latest variant cases represent 99% of all COVID-19 positive results at the lab, and most of them come from Illinois.
Reditus said testing for the variant revealed one case in May, two cases in June, 64 cases on July 16, and 347 cases on July 29. Overall, Reditus said it has identified 775 Delta variant cases.
“The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) is currently the most predominate SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) circulating within the U.S.,” said Reditus CEO Dr. Aaron Rossi.
A significant surge in the number of Delta variant cases has led the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to suggest people to wear masks indoors in public places whether or not they’re fully vaccinated, and for students to wear masks to school.
