COVID cases and deaths rise amid ‘unvaccinated pandemic’



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New COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations are rising again in the United States as the country battles a new crisis – an “unvaccinated pandemic,” White House officials said on Friday.

The most recent seven-day average of new infections jumped 70% from the previous average to around 26,300, said Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a morning briefing.

Meanwhile, hospital admissions rose 36% to about 2,790 per day, while deaths rose 26% to 211 per day after declining several weeks, Walensky said.

“There is a crystal clear message: this is becoming an unvaccinated pandemic,” Walensky said.

“We are seeing outbreaks in parts of the country that have low immunization coverage because unvaccinated people are at risk. “

Protesters with placards gather at Indiana University Sample Gates
Unvaccinated pockets across the country continue to keep the coronavirus in circulation.
SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images

While the latest figures are in no way comparable to what was seen in January – before the widespread vaccination – when there were an average of 200,000 new cases per day, the highly contagious Delta variant will continue to ravage communities with low vaccination rates, warned Walenksy.

“If you are not vaccinated you are still at risk,” she said.

“We will continue to see preventable cases, hospitalizations and, unfortunately, deaths among the unvaccinated. “

A protester holds a sign during a protest at Indiana University's Sample Gates.
A protester holds a sign during a protest at Indiana University’s Sample Gates.
SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images

Americans who received the jab remained protected against severe cases of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, Walensky reassured.

As of Thursday, 160.4 million people were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or about 48% of the population, according to CDC data.

An anti-vaccine protester
The highly contagious Delta variant will continue to ravage communities with low inoculation rates.
AFP / AFP via Getty Images

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