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Doctors call highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 worst yet

NEW: Jacksonville hospitals fill with COVID patients. Doctors say the overwhelming majority are in those who remain unvaccinated.

Jacksonville, Fla. — Doctors are sounding the alarm as the highly contagious Delta variant of the Coronavirus overloads hospitals.

Northeast Florida physician, Dr. Mohammed Reza, says COVID-19 is going to get worse before it gets better.

Recent data from the Florida Department of Health show cases have almost doubled from July 2 to 9, while vaccinations show to be slowing each week.

Reza is asking even fully-vaccinated people to keep wearing masks; keeping in mind kids under 12 can’t be vaccinated, and the elderly who are more at risk.

”This Delta variant, when you compare it to the original variants, it’s about 225 percent more transmissible than the original COVID-19, that’s mind-boggling, that’s so much more contagious,” Reza said.

On Tuesday UF Health changed their visitor policy in response to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases.

All visitors must now wear a mask at any of their facilities and will be screened for symptoms.

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