Infection rates are rising again in the United States after parties related to Independence Day on July 4. Photo: John Locher / AP / NTB
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In the last three weeks, infection rates in the United States have doubled. The delta variant, delayed vaccination and 4th of July celebrations should be some of the reasons. President Biden is seeking help to get young people vaccinated.
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After several months with a declining trend in infection, corona cases are now increasing again in the United States.
After parties associated with Independence Day on 4 July, delays in the vaccination program and a large spread of the contagious delta variant, the number of infections has doubled in the last three weeks.
Follow the development for the USA in VG’s corona special
On Monday, the average was around 23,600 infected per day, up from 11,300 on 23 June. In the United States’ 50 states, only 2, Maine and South Dakota, have escaped the increase in infection.
“It is by no means a coincidence that this is happening at the same time as we expected the number of infections to increase after the weekend of July 4,” said Dr. Bill Powderly of Washington University’s School of Medicine in St. Louis.
—-Several states are struggling with high vaccine resistance. Here, a group of students from Flathead High School in Montana demonstrate against the school district’s demands for bandages in the classroom. Photo: Hunter D’Antuono / Flathead Beacon / AP / NTB
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At the same time, several states are struggling with vaccine opponents, and the contagious delta variant of the virus accounts for more and more of the cases of infection.
Nationally, 56 percent of Americans have received at least one vaccine dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But the vaccination rate has declined in all age groups since April, according to CDC (Center for Disease Control). It is among young adults that vaccination is slowest.
The five states with the largest jumps in infection rates per capita all had low vaccination rates: Missouri (46 percent), Arkansas (43), Nevada (51), Louisiana (39) and Utah (49.5).
—-The Biden administration has struggled to get young people vaccinated against the coronavirus. Photo: Marta Lavandier / AP / NTB
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The increase in infection has led to the health authorities in Los Angeles County and St. Louis even begging to be vaccinated to continue wearing face masks in public places.
People over 65 or with chronic underlying diseases are also asked to stay away from indoor gatherings as hospital admissions have increased by 150 percent in the last three weeks.
But many states are tired of strict coronary restrictions.
– Alabama has opened up. Vaccines are readily available and I urge people to take it, but the state of emergency has expired. We must move forward, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey wrote on Twitter.
Focuses on star power
President Joe Biden is now putting a dose of star power behind the administration’s efforts to get young people vaccinated.
On Wednesday, 18-year-old actress, singer and songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, known for her hit single Driver’s License, meets Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci to encourage more young Americans to get vaccinated.
—-ON THE BID’S TEAM: Olivia Rodrigo will get young people vaccinated. Photo: Reuters
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According to NBC, she will record videos with the goal of getting young people vaccinated, and she will also answer questions about the vaccine. The videos that are recorded will be quite well spread: They will be shared on Rodrigo’s platforms on social media, which have 28 million followers, as well as on the White House.
The timing probably couldn’t have been better these days. Rodrigo’s album “Sour” is number one on the charts.
– I am with! See you tomorrow in the White House, Rodrigo wrote in response to Biden’s official Instagram account.
—-In the last three weeks, hospital admissions have increased by 150 percent in the United States. Here is an intensive care nurse photographed in the coronary ward at Providence Mission Hospital in California. Photo: Jae C. Hong / AP / NTB
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The administration has had great success in vaccinating older Americans, while the young have shown less haste and enthusiasm for being vaccinated.
– There are several descriptions from regions in the world where the delta variant has taken hold and dominated the infection picture, and pictures show intensive care units full of 30-year-olds. That’s what intensive care physicians describe, and that’s what comes to the United States, said Dr. James Lawler, director of the Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
– People have no idea what is about to hit us.
NTB/VG
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