In this week's coronavirus update, CDC Director refers to COVID-19 as a "pandemic of the unvaccinated." We discuss the spread of the delta variant and the return of mask mandates in certain areas of the country. We also have updated nationwide and worldwide infection numbers for you.
Delta Variant Continues To Spread
On Friday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky reported that COVID cases were on the rise. The delta variant is spreading through many parts of the United States that have lower vaccination levels, leading to Walensky's comment that, "This is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated."
Unvaccinated people continue to remain the most at risk of COVID variants, like delta. "If you are not vaccinated, you remain at risk," Walensky commented. She went on to say that 97% of hospitalizations are from the unvaccinated. Dr. Luis Ostrosky, Chief of Infectious Diseases at the University of Texas (Houston) Health Science Center, stated that virtually all of his patients are unvaccinated.
People who are vaccinated are getting infected with COVID as well. Israel recently claimed that the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine has dropped to 64% effectiveness, due to the uptick in COVID cases there. The difference is with the rate of hospitalization. The vaccines still provide a hedge against hospitalization and death. Those who are vaccinated and end up hospitalized tend to be the elderly or immunocompromised.
Some see the UK as an ominous sign of what could happen in the United States. Nearly 68% of the UK 18 and over have received two doses of the vaccine. 68% of Americans ages 18 and over have received at least one dose. As of July 14th, the UK's 7-day average of COVID cases, mirrored the 7-day average of mid-January, right after their peak. Some suggest that since the US is amid a rise in cases and we have similar vaccination levels, we could see our daily average skyrocket like the UK.
Mask Mandates Returning In Hot Spots
Masks are returning to Los Angeles County, which is the most populated county in America. As a result of the recent upswing in infections, masks will be required indoors, whether people are vaccinated or not. California dropped its pandemic mandates one month ago and was one of the last states to do so. LA County's Health Officer, Dr. Mantu Davis, said "this is an all-hands-on-deck moment." The mandate went into effect Saturday at 11:59 pm.
On Friday, 10 Kansas City Metropolitan area health departments issued a joint public statement, urging people to wear masks if they are unvaccinated due to the rise in cases. Missouri's COVID cases are at their highest since January as the delta variant continues to spread throughout the state and the KC area. Michelle Pekarsky, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City Health Department, stated that the unvaccinated need to wear masks when indoors and suggested that even those who are fully vaccinated wear a mask when indoors. This is an attempt to quell the surge in cases. While it's not a mask mandate yet, it could become a mandate if infection levels continue to rise.
Latest U.S. Numbers
This past week, there has been a 135% increase in cases, a 32% increase in hospitalizations, and an increase in deaths by 27%. This is largely due to the spread of the delta variant in parts of the U.S.
Areas in the United States that continue to have hot spots include Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri. Florida has seen a 190% increase in cases, Louisiana a 176% increase, Missouri a 117% increase in cases, and Arkansas a 114% increase in the number of cases.
The CDC estimates that nearly 161 million Americans have been fully vaccinated. This accounts for 48.5% of the total population and 59.4% of Americans 18 years of age and over. Over 185 million have received at least one dose. This accounts for 56% of the total population and 68% of the population 18 years and older.
Latest Worldwide COVID Numbers
The number of COVID cases is increasing all around the world. The number of cases has increased 26% and number of deaths have risen by 2%.
Countries that continue to see spikes include Spain, Botswana, and Libya. Countries with the highest cases per capita are the British Virgin Islands with 572 cases per 100,000 people (has also seen a 1,180% increase in cases over the last 14 days), the Channel Islands with 115 cases per 100k people, and Fiji with 103 cases per 100k people.
If you are traveling anytime soon, be sure to check out the appropriate travel requirements. We track each country's testing and vaccination requirements for you, so you don't have to.