Delta variant surge largely came from 3 US states

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The new surge of COVID-19 brought by the delta variant has largely come from Florida, Texas, and Missouri.
• White House pandemic response coordinator Jeff Zients noted that 97 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths consisted of unvaccinated Americans.
• Nationwide, there were 46,318 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, per CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

As the more contagious delta variant spreads across the US, the White House COVID-19 pandemic response team announced on Thursday that over 40 percent of new infections were reported in Florida, Missouri, and Texas.

For two consecutive weeks, Florida has been holding 20 percent of the country’s new cases, according to White House pandemic response coordinator Jeff Zients.

Zients pointed out that almost all or 97 percent of the hospitalizations and fatalities were among unvaccinated individuals. 

“The threat is now predominantly only to the unvaccinated,” he said.

A few people who were already fully vaccinated experienced what was dubbed as ‘breakthrough infections,’ though they only contracted a minor illness or were asymptomatic.

The states of Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, and Nevada, which saw the highest rise of new COVID-19 cases, also recorded the highest vaccination rates in the past two weeks. The immunity, though, would manifest two weeks later, so it’s still important to be careful and cautious because of the delta variant.

With the recent resurgence of COVID-19 in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), is again facing criticisms over his pandemic handling. A staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, DeSantis is expected to seek the White House office in 2024.

Another known Trump-loyalist, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), had also previously downplayed the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Abbott and DeSantis have implemented state policies that block proof of vaccination.

On the other hand, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) just announced a vaccine incentive program, where state residents could have a chance to win over $10,000. 

On Tuesday alone, new COVID-19 infections reached up to 46,318 across the US, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky.

“If you are not vaccinated, please take the Delta variant seriously,” Walensky said.

Based on the pertinent data, hospitalizations and deaths have once again grown in number, after partially declining early in the summer.

Source: Aol.com