How can I tell if I have the Delta variant? Do labs report that to the state?
That information may not be readily available. The viral tests that are used to determine if a person has COVID-19 are not designed to tell you what variant is causing the infection. Detecting the Delta variant, or other variants, requires a special type of testing called genomic sequencing. Due to the volume of COVID-19 cases, sequencing is not performed on all viral samples. However, because the Delta variant now accounts for the majority of COVID-19 cases in the United States, there is a strong likelihood that a positive test result indicates infection with the Delta variant.
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/variant-faqs.aspx
“Due to the volume of COVID-19 cases, sequencing is not performed on all viral samples. However, because the Delta variant now accounts for the majority of COVID-19 cases in the United States, there is a strong likelihood that a positive test result indicates infection with the Delta variant.”
A highly contradictive statement above. They don’t really test for it, but there’s a strong likelihood it’s Delta? I’ve yet to hear about one person who had the sequencing test performed, even asked my Doc about this when my entire family was ill, months ago. He said neither he nor his other colleagues have been able to get that particular test performed, only testing available is based upon that KNOWINGLY flawed PCR/rapid test, yet they’ll still say likely Delta. What universe does any of that make sense?
We proclaim you have the dreaded “D”, but we’re prevented from really proving it. WTF? Something that can be purportedly proven (tangibly) and isn’t, but is assumed, is pure fallacy!
Who covers the cost of these expensive test? This will be the discriminator!