A change in strategy from the CDC could make it hard to know how dangerous Delta is

Hello,

Welcome to Insider Healthcare. I'm Lydia Ramsey Pflanzer, and today in healthcare news:

• A change in strategy from the CDC could make it hard to know how dangerous Delta is;
• What we know about mixing COVID-19 vaccines;
• The Delta variant makes up 96% of new cases in Missouri.

If you're new to this newsletter, sign up here. Comments, tips? Email me at lramsey@insider.com or tweet @lydiaramsey125. Let's get to it...

The CDC stopped tracking most COVID-19 cases in vaccinated people. That makes it hard to know how dangerous Delta really is.

• The CDC stopped monitoring non-severe COVID-19 cases among vaccinated people in May.
• It's hard to assess Delta's risk without knowing what mild breakthrough cases look like - or whether they're becoming more common.
• Vaccines still seem highly effective against the variant, though.

Find out more>>

Some experts say J&J vaccine recipients should get an mRNA booster. Here's what we know about mixing shots.

• Some people who got the J&J vaccine are seeking mRNA booster shots.
• The CDC and FDA don't recommend mixing vaccines, but some experts say it can't hurt.
• Early data on mixing vaccines suggests it could trigger a stronger immune response.

Here's what we know>>

The Delta variant is causing more than 80% of new COVID-19 infections in 4 US states, including 96% of new cases in Missouri

• The Delta coronavirus variant is causing more than 80% of new COVID-19 cases in four US states.
• Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Connecticut have the highest proportion of Delta cases, Scripps Research data shows.
• In Missouri, the highly infectious Delta is causing more than 96% of new cases, the data shows.

Get the full story>>

More stories we're reading:

• The 12 top bankers in the hottest part of healthcare reveal their predictions for the future of the industry (Insider)
• A new surprise billing law could increase tensions between providers and patients (Axios)
• The 9 biotech upstarts that are taking new approaches to brain science as they vie to revive a $30 billion market (Insider)
• Advocates are pushing for better home-based care (US News & World Report)

- Lydia