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The delta variant of COVID-19 is not done with the US
Almost all coronavirus infections in the country are now attributed to the highly contagious variant. And as more people will congregate indoors during the winter months, the nation is trying to prepare for a possible winter surge that may already be underway in some regions.
The majority of US states reported rising cases last week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, updated Saturday.
In New Mexico, hospitals are running out of ICU beds despite the state’s high vaccination rate. In Michigan, the three-country metro area of Detroit is once again becoming a broadcast hot spot. Cases are also increasing in heavily vaccinated Vermont.
Decreasing immunity could contribute to the surge in cases as it has been months since millions of Americans were first vaccinated, and previous surges in the virus resulted in others receiving some protection from natural infection immunity. The country’s ongoing booster rollout seeks to stave off the effects of declining immunity.
“Delta and dwindling immunity – the combination of the two set us back,” said Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics at the University of Washington. “This virus will be with us for a long, long time.”
No state has achieved a vaccination rate high enough, even when combined with infection-induced immunity, to avoid the kind of outbreaks that are happening now, Mokdad said.
Also on the news:
► California, Colorado, and New Mexico are the three states that now allow all adults to get a booster dose of coronavirus, although federal health officials recommend limiting doses to those considered most at risk. The most populous state in the country has put its policy in place to avert a feared surge around the year-end holidays when more people congregate inside.
►A high school in Iowa closed Friday due to staff shortages, a sign of how the pandemic is affecting an ongoing teacher shortage. The absences were attributed to illnesses of the employees and their families as well as to employees who could not find childcare.
► Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed an extensive package of laws on Friday severely restricting government agencies, schools, health officials and businesses due to COVID-19 restrictions.
► The government on Friday ordered nursing homes to open their doors wide to visitors, easing many remaining pandemic restrictions while urging residents, families and staff at the facility to beware of outbreaks.
📈Today’s numbers: The U.S. has recorded nearly 47 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 762,500 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. Global Total: Nearly 252.7 million cases and 5 million deaths. More than 194.7 Millions of Americans – 58.7% of the population – are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.
📘 What we read: Because children are vaccinated, parents look forward to the freedoms their children can enjoy after bravely facing their jab. But the question of masking – especially in schools – remains. Read the full story.
Keep updating this page for the latest news. Want more? Sign up for USA TODAY’s free Coronavirus Watch newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox and join our Facebook group.
Legislators urge Biden to require vaccinations or negative tests for vacation travel
With vacation travel time approaching rapidly, three dozen lawmakers are urging the federal government to require proof of full vaccination or negative coronavirus test for domestic flights.
Lawmakers said the additional travel restrictions would “ensure Americans can safely travel to see loved ones during the holidays, while limiting the introduction and spread of COVID-19 from visiting family and friends in their homes,” it said it in a letter sent to President Joe Biden.
The urge for more mandates comes less than a week after the United States updated its entry requirements for international air travel. As of Monday, most foreigners will be required to be fully vaccinated and all travelers 2 years old and older who have not recently recovered from COVID-19 – including US citizens – will be required to present a negative coronavirus test to enter the country.
– Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY
Missouri allows nursing homes to be closed due to staff shortages due to vaccination orders
The Missouri Department of Health is providing nursing homes with a legal path to temporary closure when faced with staff shortages due to a new mandate from President Joe Biden’s government for vaccinating health workers against COVID-19.
An emergency rule released on Friday by the state Department of Health and Senior Services would allow skilled nursing and care facilities to close for up to two years if they are under staff shortages due to vaccination requirements. They could then be reopened without having to start the licensing process from the beginning.
Missouri nursing homes have some of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country, and the state’s top Republican officials have opposed Biden’s vaccine requirements. Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued this week as part of a coalition of 10 states that want to block the vaccine mandate.
The head of the New Oklahoma National Guard falls below the DOD vaccine requirement
In one of his earliest acts as chief of the Oklahoma National Guard, new Adjutant General Thomas Mancino updated the guard’s COVID-19 vaccine policy.
In a memo released Thursday, Mancino ordered no Oklahoma National Guard members to take a COVID-19 vaccine.
The memo from The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network, also states that “no negative administrative or legal action will be taken” against guards who oppose the COVID-19 vaccine.
In August, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said all military personnel must begin vaccinating against COVID-19 immediately.
– Carmen Forman, The Oklahoman
Contribution: The Associated Press
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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/11/13/covid-19-updates-lawmakers-urge-stricter-holiday-travel-protocol/8593301002/
