Delta variant spreading quickly in USA
White House says it will miss 70% vaccination target by a "few weeks" while experts warn that unvaccinated communities may have localized surges. Meanwhile, COVID-19 deaths climbing in Latin America
Welcome to this week’s update. Here’s what you should know about the latest COVID-19 news.
“The delta variant is currently the greatest threat in the U.S. to our attempt to eliminate COVID-19.” - Dr. Anthony Fauci
The “delta variant,” first observed in India, is surging in the United States. CDC experts attribute 20% of new COVID-19 cases in the USA to this strain, twice the proportion from two weeks ago. It is forecast to become the dominant strain here within a month.
Around the world, an increasing number of reports appear to document transmission of the delta variant with only minimal exposure to an infected individual.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky warns that localized surges of new COVID-19 cases create a climate ripe for more variants to emerge.
The good news is that all three of the vaccines in use across the USA are effective against the delta variant, says Fauci.
New cases of COVID-19, including cases implicating the delta variant, are occurring most frequently in the southeast and midwest and, like other COVID-19 cases, hitting Black and other minority populations disproportionately.
In Florida, a COVID-19 outbreak at a government building claimed the lives of two people and four others were hospitalized. Vaccinated co-workers were not infected, officials say.
Public health experts gave the San Francisco Chronicle five reasons to keep wearing masks.
Reluctance among young adults holding back US progress on Biden vaccination goal. The White House acknowledged that the nation will not reach the president’s target of 70% of adults with at least one COVID-19 shot by July 4. Getting people between 18-36 vaccinated has proven a challenge.
What numbers make sense to track now that the pandemic wanes (at least in parts of the USA)?
While the USA sees an exit ramp from the pandemic, the situation is dire in many other places, especially because vaccine distribution and access has been limited.
Brazil now has recorded more than 500,000 deaths — most of those within only the past four months.
Colombia has seen a steep rise in new cases and deaths, with more than 100,000 deaths tallied.
More than 8.5 million people received COVID-19 vaccinations in India on Monday, but that brings the total to only about 5.5% of the entire population.
Of more than 800 U.S. Secret Service employees who got COVID-19, 477 were part of the division responsible for protecting the president and other officials.
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