Delta Variant Causes 110,000 New COVID-19 Cases in the US

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the India-originated Delta variant virus spreads, the number of COVID-19 patients in the United States has surged to 110,000.

According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University on the 23rd (local time), 118,791 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the United States. This is the first time since February 11 that the daily number of confirmed cases in the U.S. has exceeded 100,000.

The 7-day average of daily new cases approached 50,000. According to The New York Times, the 7-day average daily cases as of the 23rd was 48,746, which is 2.73 times higher than two weeks ago.

The number of hospitalized patients increased by 57% to 28,780, and the daily average number of deaths rose by 20% to 271.

As the fourth wave of resurgence intensifies, the controversy over mask-wearing has reignited. The issue is whether vaccinated individuals should wear masks in public indoor spaces.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidelines on May 13 stating that fully vaccinated people can remove masks in most indoor and outdoor settings except for public transportation, hospitals, and schools.

However, Jerome Adams, former head of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC), appeared on CNN and said, "The CDC’s decision was made trusting Americans, but unfortunately, people have taken off their masks whether they were vaccinated or not."

Adams added, "The CDC gave the best advice they could at the time, but that was before the surge caused by the Delta variant. The Delta variant is changing the situation."

He emphasized, "The CDC needs to clarify its message so that Americans rejoin efforts to curb the spread of infection." In other words, the guidelines should be revised to require vaccinated individuals to wear masks.

The White House is also considering recommending that vaccinated employees wear masks after breakthrough infection cases emerged among staff. The Washington Post recently reported, citing officials, that such discussions are in the early stages at the White House and that the CDC may change its mask-wearing guidelines.

However, Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director, stated that mask-wearing guidelines have not yet been changed and that local areas can make independent decisions. If there are many infections, low vaccination rates, and the Delta variant is spreading, mask-wearing can be mandated.

In fact, the number of local governments independently mandating or recommending mask-wearing is increasing.

Following Los Angeles (LA) County, which was the first in the U.S. to reinstate mandatory mask-wearing, St. Louis, Missouri, will require indoor mask-wearing in public places, including for vaccinated individuals, starting on the 26th. Missouri is one of the hotspots of the fourth wave resurgence in the U.S.

However, conflicts between state governments and subordinate local governments over mask mandates are reemerging.

Eric Schmidt, Missouri Attorney General, announced he would file a lawsuit to block such measures. Schmidt said, "The residents of St. Louis are free people, not subjects," and "We will file a lawsuit to stop this madness."

The Seattle-King County Public Health Department in Washington State also urged people to wear masks in public indoor places.

Jeffrey Duchin, Health Officer, said that when the CDC relaxed mask regulations on May 13, the Delta variant accounted for only 1.4% in the area, but now it has increased to 56%. He acknowledged that this may be disappointing and frustrating to many, but this is the best guidance.

On the other hand, Doug Ducey, Governor of Arizona, while encouraging vaccination as a "miracle of modern science," reaffirmed that he will not allow mandatory vaccination or mask-wearing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.