Brewers' Christian Yelich tests positive for COVID-19
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As COVID cases continues to rise across Wisconsin and the country, Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich is one of the latest cases of a fully vaccinated person getting infected.
That's known as a breakthrough case.
Yelich has minor symptoms.
It comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new mask guidance for people who are vaccinated.
It's not known which variant of the virus Yelich has, but the Delta variant is much better at infecting both unvaccinated and vaccinated people.
It's a more potent version of the virus and it is the dominant strain in Wisconsin.
"We're concerned to see rising case numbers and we are seeing a significant portion of those cases in Wisconsin being the Delta variant," said Wisconsin Bureau of Communicable Disease Director Traci DeSalvo.
She said the Delta variant began taking over in early July. It's now the most common COVID variant in people testing positive, nearly all of whom have not gotten their shot. "98.4 percent of the COVID cases we're seeing in Wisconsin are in unvaccinated people," said DeSalvo.
That's why the CDC said vaccinated people should start wearing masks again indoors in areas with high levels of COVID, including Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.
"If you are continuously confronted with the virus, you may have breakthrough infections with mild symptoms and so masking is a way to add that additional layer of protection," said UW Health Medical Director of Infection Prevention Nasia Safdar.
She said masks help control the spread, but the vaccines protect against people getting seriously ill.
"The game changer for this pandemic is going to be, and has been, the vaccines," said Safdar.
That appears to be the case with Yelich.
"Christian reported minor symptoms, that's what started this, so he's doing fine, he's doing good," said Brewers Manager Craig Counsell.
The vaccine is doing its job protecting Yelich, at a time when the virus is still ravaging half the country who aren't protected.
"That, by and large, is people who cannot be vaccinated or have chosen not to be vaccinated," said Safdar.
Yelich will be out for 10 days following Major League Baseball's COVID protocols.
His teammate Jace Peterson will also serve a seven-day quarantine because he was identified as a close contact.
OF Christian Yelich placed on the injured list (COVID-19). INF/OF Jace Peterson placed on the injured list (COVID-19 contact). OF Lorenzo Cain reinstated from the 10-day injured list. INF/OF Pablo Reyes recalled from Triple-A Nashville. pic.twitter.com/cCibxTSxQc
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 27, 2021
The Brewers are placing Christian Yelich on the COVID-IL due to a positive test, per David Stearns. Also Jace Peterson because of contact tracing protocol.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) July 27, 2021
Yelich was fully vaccinated so this is a breakthrough case. Started developing mild symptoms yesterday.