US plans to recommend COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for all Americans. Every American, regardless of age, will need booster shots eight months after they received their second dose of one of the vaccines, according to U.S. Officials. An announcement was expected as soon as this week, with doses beginning to be administered widely once the Food and Drug Administration formally approves vaccines. Ref. USAToday.
Daily coronavirus infections are more than four times what the US saw last year on Labor Day, a 316% increase. Compared to last Labor Day, daily COVID-19 cases are up 316%, deaths are up 94% and hospitalizations are up 158%. Some U.S. Hospitals are getting so crowded with COVID-19 patients that physicians may soon be compelled to make life-or-death decisions on who gets an ICU bed. Ref. USAToday.
US will allow vaccinated international travelers starting in early November. Travelers will need to show proof of vaccination prior to boarding U.S.-bound planes. A COVID-19 test will also continue to be required within three days of departure and proof of negative results must be shown. Enhanced contact tracing and masking will also be required. Ref. USAToday.
US reaches 700,000 COVID-19 deaths, a dark milestone we never expected to hit. How did we get here? The U.S. Recorded 600,000 deaths in June, when daily deaths had dropped to under 400 and there was hope that the end was near for the ruthless world crisis, at least at home. Vaccines were widely available to all American adults and teens. Within months, all of that would change with the surging delta variant. Ref. USAToday.
The deadliest year: US deaths from COVID-19 in 2021 have surpassed 2020 total. The combination of the delta variant with the misinformation-driven refusal by so many Americans to get vaccinated has left the country vulnerable to a virus that continues to adapt and find new victims. Ref. USAToday.