Coronavirus cases and hospitalization inside U.S At a six-month high, driven by the rapid spread of the epidemic Delta variant All parts of the country are struggling to cope with low vaccination rates.
According to statistics from Reuters on public health data, nationwide, COVID-19 cases averaged 100,000 for three consecutive days, an increase of 35% over the past week. Louisiana, Florida, and Arkansas have seen the worst surges.
In the past week, the number of hospitalizations has risen by 40%, while the number of deaths has risen by 18%, with Arkansas having the largest number of deaths.
The intensified spread of the pandemic has led to the cancellation of some large-scale high-profile events. One notable exception is the annual motorcycle rally in South Dakota, which has been going on as planned.
According to analysis, Florida has set a record of hospitalization for eight consecutive days. In that state, as some school districts debate whether to wear masks for students, most students should return to the classroom this week.
On Monday, Canada relaxed its border regulations with the United States, allowing fully vaccinated Americans to enter the country for non-essential reasons. To be eligible, travelers must live in the United States, 14 days after their last vaccination, and present a COVID-19 negative molecular test certificate no more than 72 hours.
With the relaxation of border rules, Canada welcomes the return of fully vaccinated Americans
The Canadian Border Services Agency also requires visitors to upload their vaccination details using the ArriveCAN app or online portal.
The land borders between the United States and Canada and Mexico will be closed for non-essential travel at least until August 21. Due to concerns about the Delta variant, Washington currently has not lifted any existing travel restrictions.
At the same time, the head of the second-largest teachers union in the United States announced on Sunday a change of course to support mandatory vaccination for American teachers to protect students who are too young to be vaccinated.
The number of children hospitalized with COVID-19 across the country is increasing, a trend that health experts attribute to the fact that the Delta variant is more likely to infect children than the original Alpha strain.
Delta Air Lines surges, Canada-US border rules are relaxed, children are at risk: experts
As the virus once again disrupted American lives after a brief summer calm, efforts to vaccinate those who are still unwilling have gained new impetus.
States including California, New York and Virginia, as well as several cities, have mandated vaccinations or weekly tests for state employees.
President Joe Biden’s government enacted new regulations at the end of last month, requiring federal workers to provide certificates of vaccination or regular testing, wear masks, and travel restrictions.
In the private sector, more and more companies are also mandating COVID-19 vaccination. United Airlines, meat processor Tyson Foods and Microsoft require employees to be vaccinated.
The evolving pandemic and rapid community spread triggered by the Delta variant has prompted the cancellation of some large-scale events. Last week, the organizers cancelled the New York Auto Show originally scheduled for later this month.
Due to a severe outbreak in Louisiana, the New Orleans Jazz Festival was cancelled for the second year in a row.
But concerns about the Delta variant did not seem to curb Sturgis’ emotions. Sturgis is a small town in South Dakota where thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts participate in the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally every year. .
This year’s party was held from August 6th to 15th and may have attracted a record crowd.
“This is one of the largest people I have ever seen,” Mead County Sheriff Ron Merwin said in an email. “I think there will definitely be some spread.”
The City of Sturgis has cooperated with health officials to provide a COVID-19 self-check kit for the rally, but the event does not require vaccination or proof of wearing a mask.
Last year, the rally became a super-spread event that many people worried about.
Although the number of cases and hospitalizations in South Dakota was relatively low when the incident began on August 7, 2020, three months later, the state set a record of hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients and new infections.
According to Reuters statistics, in November alone, 521 people died from COVID-19 in the state, almost three times the number of deaths reported in October.
(Reporting by Maria Caspani, editing by David Gregorio)
— Documents from Global News
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