From new research on the Delta strain to a look at the vaccination effort in the U.S., here’s the latest on Covid-19.
As Covid-19 cases climb in the U.S., Dr. Anthony Fauci warned over the weekend that more “pain and suffering” lies ahead. The nation’s top infectious disease expert said that while he doesn’t predict more lockdowns, not enough Americans are inoculated at this point to “crush the outbreak.” Here’s the latest on case counts, hot spots, and the vaccination effort.
Where we stand: Over the past two weeks, new Covid-19 infections have risen 148% and hospitalizations are up 73%, per the NYT. The Delta variant is to blame. The strain can spread as easily as chickenpox, and according to new CDC research, the fully vaccinated may be able to spread it just as readily as those who haven’t gotten the shot.
Lessons from Provincetown: Even with one of the highest vaccination rates in the country, the Massachusetts beach community still became the site of a Covid-19 outbreak. About 75% of the 965 people infected during the Fourth of July weekend there were vaccinated, per the CDC, which studied the cluster and said it was part of what prompted new mask guidance. The outbreak shows how infectious Delta really is, the CDC said, but it also proves that the vaccines are working, as no deaths were reported and only seven people were hospitalized.
Rolling up their sleeves: Residents in the states getting hit hardest by the Delta variant are now lining up to get vaccinated. In Mississippi, the seven-day average of first doses tripled by July 27 as compared to the start of the month. Louisiana, which has seen a recent spike in infections, nearly quadrupled its seven-day vaccination average. Still, these states are lagging behind the rest of the country, and their rates of hospitalizations and deaths remain higher.
Gaining steam: A growing number of the country’s largest employers are calling for their workers to get vaccinated. Walmart and Disney are two of the latest. The change came after President Biden last week introduced new requirements for federal employees, and California and New York also rolled out mandates. Some workplace experts suggest more companies could soon follow suit. “Once you get a little momentum, you get a sort of tidal wave,” said Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, a member of Biden’s Covid-19 Advisory Board.
