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 The country is reporting over 94,819 cases on a seven-day average, a
five-fold increase in less than a month, Reuters data through
Wednesday showed. The seven-day average provides the most accurate
picture of how fast cases are rising since some states only report
infections once or twice a week. (Graphic on U.S. cases and deaths)
https://tmsnrt.rs/2WTOZDR
In the coming weeks, cases could double to 200,000 per day due to
the highly contagious Delta variant, said top U.S. infectious
disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci on Wednesday.
"If another one comes along that has an equally high capability of
transmitting but also is much more severe, then we could really be
in trouble," Fauci said in an interview with McClatchy
https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/
coronavirus/article253248688.html. "People who are not getting
vaccinated mistakenly think it's only about them. But it isn't. It's
about everybody else, also."
The Delta variant, first detected in India, accounts for 83% of all
new cases reported in the United States, according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vaccination rates vary widely from a high of 76% of Vermont
residents receiving a first dose to a low of 40% in Mississippi,
with polls showing Republicans are far less likely
https://graphics.reuters.com/
HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/MICHIGAN/
azgpoxymkvd than Democrats to get vaccinated.
Unvaccinated people represent nearly 97% of severe cases, according
to the White House COVID-19 Response Team.
Deaths, a lagging indicator, jumped 33% over the past week, with
about 377 deaths per day on average, according to the analysis.
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Southern states, which have some of the nation's lowest vaccination
rates, are reporting the most COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Florida, Texas and Louisiana were reporting the highest total number
of new cases in the region over the last week, according to a
Reuters analysis.
Hospitals in Florida and Louisiana are seeing record numbers of
COVID patients occupying beds.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged Republican leaders in Florida
and Texas - home to roughly a third of all new U.S. COVID-19 cases -
to follow public health guidelines on the pandemic or "get out of
the way".
To try to halt the spread of the virus, New York City will require
proof of vaccination at restaurants, gyms and other businesses.
Roughly 60% of all New Yorkers have received at least one dose of
the COVID-19 vaccine, according to city data. But certain areas,
largely poor communities and communities of color, have much lower
vaccination rates.
Some private companies are also mandating vaccines for employees and
customers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to give full approval
for the Pfizer COVID vaccine by early September, the New York Times
reported on Tuesday, which could prompt more Americans to get the
vaccine as it might reduce their fears about the safety of the shot.
(Reporting by Roshan Abraham in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
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