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The number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in the United States as the fourth wave of the pandemic rages on, but there are signs the increase could slow.
Authorities recorded 38,482 new cases of the virus on Sunday with a seven-day moving average of 130,221, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
This is 150% from the average of 52,116 reported three weeks ago and is the highest number seen since February 2, according to an analysis by DailyMail.com.
Although this is a big jump, it is lower than the increase seen last Sunday, when infections were reported to have risen 240% over a three-week period.
Deaths are also on the rise, despite levels that remain well below those seen before vaccination.
As of Sunday, 382 virus-related deaths were recorded with a seven-day moving average of 644, a 129% increase from the average of 281 reported three weeks earlier and the highest number seen since May 30.
However, around half of the deaths are recorded compared to November 2020, the last time COVID-19 cases tended to increase.
The outbreak in the United States has been attributed to the spread of the Indian ‘Delta’ variant, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates.
Former head of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr Scott Gottlieb, told CNBC he believes that once the current wave of cases ends, Covid will become an “endemic” virus in the United States. United
On Sunday, the United States recorded 38,482 new cases of COVID-19 with a seven-day moving average of 130,221, or 150% from the average of 52,116 reported three weeks ago.
Deaths increased with 382 virus-related deaths recorded on Sunday and a seven-day moving average of 644, a 129% increase from the average of 281 reported 21 days earlier.
Former FDA chief Dr Scott Gottlieb said he believed that once the current wave of cases caused by the Indian ‘Delta’ variant subsides, Covid will become an ‘endemic’ virus in the United States.
“We are moving from a pandemic to a more endemic virus, at least here in the United States and probably in other western markets,” Gottlieb said on CNBC’s Squawk Box.
An endemic disease is a disease which is still present in the population but which circulates at a low rate.
“It’s not a binary moment, but I think after going through this Delta wave it’s going to become more of an endemic disease where you just see some sort of infection that is persistent over the winter… but not at the levels that we are. are certainly living right now, and it doesn’t necessarily depend on booster shots, ”continued Gottlieb.
Gottlieb has said he expects the current wave caused by the variant to likely last until fall 2021 before seeing cases turn down.
“You’re going to see the Delta wave play out probably between late September and October,” he told CNBC.
“Hopefully we’ll be on the other side or come to the other side in November, and we won’t see a big wave of infection after that on the other side of this Delta wave.”
In Florida, the seven-day moving average of new Covid cases increased 139% over two weeks, from 15,817 per day to a record 37,941
In Texas, there are currently 11,407 average cases per day, a 32% increase from the 8,600 seen 14 days earlier.
Over the past two weeks, the seven-day moving average of new Covid cases in Florida has increased 139%, from 15,817 per day to 37,941, the highest on record.
There are currently 15,441 hospital patients with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), another record for the state.
In Florida, cases of the virus have filled so many hospital beds that several hospitals are saying they are out of space.
Hospitals are converting conference rooms, cafeterias and outpatient centers into Covid services to cope with the influx of patients.
“Between a growing number of COVID patients and an unusually high patient volume of extremely ill non-COVID patients, our hospitals are striving to maximize their staff and available beds,” said Mary Mayhew, President and CEO of Florida Hospital Association (FHA). A declaration.
According to a survey conducted by the FHA, 68 percent of hospitals are expected to reach a critical staff shortage.
In Texas, there are currently 11,407 average cases per day, a 32% increase from the 8,600 seen 14 days earlier.
Hospitalizations have exceeded record levels with 11,261 people hospitalized with the virus, which is higher than the peak of 10,893 seen in the summer of 2020.
According to state data, more than half of Texas hospital regions – 12 out of 22 – currently have 10 or fewer intensive care beds.
Of those regions, seven – Abilene, Bryan, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Laredo, Lufkin and Waco – do not have intensive care beds available.
“The intensive care units are full,” Dr. Kunal Sharma, chief of emergency services at LBJ Hospital, told CBS News.
“Every bed is counted, and in fact, we have patients waiting in our emergency center for intensive care beds to open… Certain hours of waiting, certain days of waiting, to be frank.”
Low vaccination rates are to blame, with just 54.6% of Texans resuscitating a dose and 45.3% being fully vaccinated.
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