Despite having the highest vaccination rates in the US, there are constant reminders for most New England states of just how vicious the Delta variant of Covid-19 is.

Hospitals across the region are seeing full intensive care units and staff shortages are starting to affect care. Public officials are pleading with the unvaccinated to get the shots. Healthcare workers are coping with pent-up demand for other kinds of care that had been delayed by the pandemic.

“I think it’s clearly frustrating for all of us,” said Michael Pieciak, the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation who monitors Covid19 statistics for the state. “We want kids to be safe in school, we want parents not to have to worry about their child’s education and health.”

Even though parts of New England are seeing record case counts, hospitalisations and deaths that rival pre-vaccine peaks, largely among the unvaccinated, the region hasn’t seen the impact the Delta variant wave has wrought on other parts of the country.

Read the full AP story here.