How worried should we be about the coronavirus Delta variant?
More contagious than the original virus. The Delta variant of the coronavirus is spreading fast across the country, and its also here in Southern Nevada. Doctors say theres some concern but the tools are already there to beat it. With an exit ramp in sight in this pandemic for Southern Nevada, new strains of the coronavirus are sparking some concern, especially the Delta variant. Its considered to be much more contagious than the original virus. Every once in a while, you get the right combination of changes that allows it to spread more easily, said UNLV health professor Dr. Brian Labus. RELATED: New studies find COVID-19 can cause diabetes  The Delta variant, first detected in India, has now spread across the country, including Southern Nevada. The Southern Nevada Health District says there are13 positive cases of the variant in Clark County so far. Its likely well see this variant as the dominant strain throughout the area and the country because it spread so much more easily than others, Dr. Labus said. He says there is concern about how contagious it is, especially for unvaccinated people, but there shouldnt be panic. People who are vaccinated can rest assured. RELATED: Cleveland Clinic studying long-term effects of COVID-19 among people who are obese  The vaccine should still provide protection against this particular strain, so if you havent been vaccinated, its even more important that you do so now, he said. Dr. Labus says while the vaccine may be less effective against the Delta variant, it is still is very effective at preventing severe hospitalization and death. It will still provide some protection and some protection is better than no protection, he said. Currently, the Alpha strain of the virus, which was first found in the U.K., is the dominant strain here in Clark County.