"Going in the Wrong Direction" US COVID-19 New Cases Increase Tenfold

Director Fauci Suggests Possibility of Booster Shot Vaccination

Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) [Photo by AP]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] "The United States is heading in the wrong direction."

Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), expressed serious concern on the 25th (local time) about the continued increase in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated Americans.

In an interview with CNN on the same day, Director Fauci said, "COVID-19 is becoming a pandemic mainly among unvaccinated people," adding, "It is even more problematic because 50% of Americans have not yet been fully vaccinated."

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30 out of the 50 states in the U.S. have not surpassed a full vaccination rate of 50%, which means completing the second dose.

As vaccination rates have significantly dropped, the weekly average of new infections as of the 23rd reached approximately 49,300, an increase of more than 300% compared to a month ago.

The weekly COVID-19 incidence rates in Los Angeles (LA) County and San Diego County in California were the highest since February.

According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the number of new daily COVID-19 cases, which had fallen to 10,000 in mid-June, rose to 118,000 on the 23rd.

Director Fauci also mentioned that booster shots (third doses) might be necessary for immunocompromised individuals.

Quoting recent studies showing that even vaccinated people’s immunity can wane, Fauci said that U.S. health authorities are reviewing data to decide when additional vaccinations are needed.

CNN pointed out, "Compared to this spring, vaccination rates have plummeted, causing a nationwide surge in COVID-19," adding, "Many Americans hoped for a worry-free summer returning to normal life, but the recent surge in COVID-19 is quickly creating a different reality."

Despite the increase in the Delta variant, many Americans are ignoring mask mandates. In New York City, concerns are rising as more people are not wearing masks even on public transportation where mask use is mandatory.

Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, said, "Vaccines provide a strong opportunity to avoid COVID infection and hospitalization," adding, "Even if breakthrough infections occur in vaccinated individuals, symptoms are likely to be mild or absent."

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