First Delta Variant COVID-19 Cases in Pasadena Residents Confirmed

The Pasadena Public Health Department has received the first confirmed reports of the COVID-19 Delta variant infection in six Pasadena residents, a city spokesperson reported Wednesday evening.

The Delta variant was identified in laboratory specimens from these residents through genomic sequence testing, according to a statement released by city spokesperson Lisa Derderian. The households infected in Pasadena included a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, she said.

Through contact tracing, PPHD has linked all of the cases to household exposures.

Derderian said that to protect the privacy of the individuals, no further information will be released.

This SARS-CoV-2 virus variant was first identified in India, spreads more easily and quickly than other variants, and likely causes more severe disease based on hospitalizations and case fatality rates. In the state of California, 1,085 cases of the Delta variant have been reported, and as of June 2021, 42.9% percent of all sequenced variant of concern cases are Delta.

“Now is the time for anyone who is not yet vaccinated to get fully vaccinated. Help connect friends and family who are not yet vaccinated to a vaccine opportunity as soon as possible. Current vaccines are effective in protecting against the Delta variant that spreads much more easily than prior variants and is more likely to cause serious disease,” said Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Health Officer and Director of the Pasadena Public Health Department.

COVID-19 vaccines are proven to be highly effective at preventing hospitalization or death from COVID-19, and people who are fully vaccinated are also much less likely to be contagious or transmit the virus to someone else, according to the statement.

“The longer you wait to get vaccinated, the greater the risk of contracting COVID-19, and infecting a friend, loved one, or coworker,” the city statement said.

COVID-19 vaccines are available through the Pasadena Public Health Department at no cost. People age 12 years and over are eligible to receive the vaccine. For more information and to register for an appointment, visit MyTurn.ca.gov.

Get vaccinated at a PPHD clinic and receive a $20 gift card to a local retailer while supplies last.