After months of declining cases in the U.S., COVID-19 is once again spiking—an alarming public health trend that could disrupt states reopening and loosening lockdown measures.
The number of average cases per day in the U.S. jumped from 11,300 per day three weeks ago to more than 23,000, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University.
In total, the U.S. has reported more than 605,000 deaths and 33.7 million cases of the virus, according to the CDC.
Vaccination starkly curved the rise in COVID-19 in the first few months of 2021. Nearly 68% of U.S. adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while roughly 80% of seniors are vaccinated, as of July 14, according to the CDC. The agency noted that nearly all recent cases and deaths are among people who have not been vaccinated.
The rise in cases is also corresponding with the spread of the Delta variant of the virus, which is thought to be more contagious. In particular, New York, California, Florida, as well as Alaska, Utah and Alabama are seeing increases, according to the WSJ.
In response, the White House has re-upped its efforts to get more Americans vaccinated. In particular, the White House is focused on vaccinating young adults and children. The vaccines are approved for children 12 and older.
“We will get vaccines to more and more family doctors so Americans can get a shot at their doctor’s office,” Jeff Zients, coordinator of the White House task force, said in a press briefing July 8. “We will also intensify our efforts to bring vaccines to where many people spend the most time during the week: at workplaces and on school campuses.”
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."