In the past week (July 3 through 9), the U.S. reported about 104,000 new cases, according to the CDC. This amounts to:
- An average of 14,900 new cases each day
- 32 total new cases for every 100,000 Americans
- 16% more new cases than last week (June 26-July 2)
Last week, America also saw:
- 14,300 new COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals (4.3 for every 100,000 people)
- 1,100 new COVID-19 deaths (0.3 for every 100,000 people)
- 52% of new cases now Delta-caused (as of July 3)
- An average of 500,000 vaccinations per day (per Bloomberg)
The Delta variant is now officially causing more than half of new cases in the U.S., per the CDC’s Nowcast estimates. This super-transmissible variant has contributed to rising cases in under-vaccinated parts of the country.
Cases are now up 16% from last week—and there may be more cases that were delayed in reporting due to the July 4 holiday. Missouri continues to be a hotspot, with 127 cases per 100,000 people in the last week; Arkansas is close behind, at 123 cases per 100,000. Both states have under 40% of their populations fully vaccinated.
Hospitalizations are also rising. We’re up to 2,000 admissions a day; this is far from the country’s peak in January (over 16,000 admissions a day), but is concerning after months of decreases. Like cases, hospitalizations are rising more in the South and West.
Numerous studies have shown that the vast majority of COVID-19 patients now in U.S. hospitals are unvaccinated. These patients are also younger, on average, than those hospitalized in earlier stages of the pandemic. Adults between ages 18 and 49 now make up over 40% of COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to the CDC; those over 65 only make up 27% of hospitalizations.
Meanwhile, vaccinations continue to slow. The U.S. administered an average of only 500,000 shots a day last week, per Bloomberg, and surveys indicate that many remaining unvaccinated Americans are unlikely to be convinced. Two changes that might be able to turn the tide, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation: full FDA approval for a vaccine and more vaccination encouragement (or mandates) from employers.