Emory Healthcare's Dr. Bob Dent says the majority of patients coming into hospitals across Georgia have not received a COVID-19 vaccination.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, 40 percent of the state's population is fully vaccinated. In order to bring down the number of COVID cases, Dr. Dent says more people have to get the vaccine.
In an interview with Audacy Atlanta's Maria Boynton, Dent says it's important to get the shot because you don't know how your body is going to respond or react to COVID.
Dent says high numbers of people are testing positive for COVID in this 4th surge of the disease.
Dent, is Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer for three hospitals within Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, GA.
The CDC says the spread of the Delta variant has been quick and is affecting all ages,with children now making up 15% of new cases nationwide.
Georgia had more than 19,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 85 deaths on Monday according to health officials.
Listen to full interview below.