Ahead of the Golden Holiday, COVID-19 Cases Rise Again in the US... WHO Calls It "Very Dangerous"

by Paek Jongmin

Published 03 Jul.2021 06:33(KST)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Despite COVID-19 vaccinations, new infections are rising again in the United States following South Korea. The spread of the India-origin Delta variant is the reason.

The upcoming Independence Day holiday is also increasing concerns about the spread of infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the Delta variant is appearing in countries worldwide and that this is a very dangerous time.

CNN reported on the 2nd (local time) that an analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University showed that the 7-day average of daily new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. has increased for six consecutive days recently.

As of the 1st, the 7-day average of new cases rose by 9.08% compared to a week earlier.

Nearly half (47.0%) of the total U.S. population has completed vaccination, but the previously declining trend of new cases has turned upward again.

The fact that the Independence Day holiday lasts until the 5th is also raising concerns. President Joe Biden plans to hold an event declaring independence from COVID-19 in celebration of Independence Day, but it is still too early to be fully reassured.

Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), said, "If you have been vaccinated, you have a high level of protection. If you have not been vaccinated, you must wear a mask. And you should seriously consider getting vaccinated."

Jeff Zients, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, stated, "It is an appropriate time to take a step back and celebrate the progress we have made."

On the same day, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern in a virtual press briefing that the Delta variant has been detected in nearly 100 countries and that the world is in a "very dangerous time."