ToplineFriday's report of Covid-19-related deaths and hospitalizations in the United States was the highest since Jan. 16 during the winter surge.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci listens to during a briefing on the coronavirus Pandemic in the White House press briefing room on March 27, 2020 in Washington. Getty Images/Photo by Drew AngererThe Key FactsJohns Hopkins University reported that there were 194,608 Covid cases in the U.S. Friday. This brings the average daily number of new cases to 103,000. It is the highest level since February 7. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), more than 48,000 people have been hospitalized for Covid in the U.S. According to the New York Times this is an increase of around 300 deaths per day, compared to 175 deaths per day in January.What to WatchMany counties and cities in the U.S. have reacted to earlier restrictions in the pandemic. Some cities have reinstituted mask mandates while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control urged those living in areas with high transmission rates to use masks in public indoor spaces. This could result in more mask mandates. His administration announced Thursday that all federal employees, contractors and military personnel will be required to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. This precedent could increase the momentum for mandated vaccines at the private sector and local government levels.Important BackgroundNearly all Covid-19-related deaths in America are now due to the highly contagious delta variant. Public health officials call it a "pandemic among the unvaccinated". While the majority of Covid-19-related deaths and hospitalizations are caused by the delta variant, there are concerns about how easily fully vaccinated people might spread the virus. Friday's CDC study found that 74% were among vaccinated individuals and had virus loads comparable to those who were not vaccinated. This study played a role in the CDC's tightening its masking guidelines.TangentIt is believed that the delta variant can cause more severe infections in young people. There has been a worrying trend in hospitals in the southern U.S. reporting an increase in Covid-19-infected children. Jacksonville, Florida, was reportedly the first to set a new record for children being hospitalized this week.Continue readingNew Orleans: The Newest City to Reinstate the Mask Mandate See full List (Forbes).Biden Announces Vaccine-Or Test Mandate for All Federal Workers, Military Included (Forbes).Hospitals in the Southern United States Report Record Numbers of Children Hospitalized During Delta SurgeThough Deaths are Still Extremely Rare (Forbes).CDC recommends masks again, including for fully vaccinated in certain places. Worrisome new science about Delta Variant (Forbes).CDC Laying Out A Grimmer Picture Of Delta Variant. Document ShowsLive updates and coverage of the Coronavirus
