Coronavirus vaccine and Delta variant updates for 7-29-2021

This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for July 29th, 2021.

After the CDC changed its guidance for even the vaccinated to go back to wearing masks indoors in certain areas, mask rules across the nation reacted in a range of ways. That includes cities, states, schools, and businesses. Nevada and Kansas City swiftly re-imposed indoor masking. But governors in Arizona, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina are resisting. Ford is reinstating masking at facilities in Missouri and Florida, while Apple and Google postponed a return to the office. Google will eventually mandate vaccination for all staff. The main result of the ever-changing advice, Americans plunged right back into emotionally charged debates.

The CDC said not only do you have to go back to wearing a mask if you’ve been vaccinated, you also should get tested if you’ve been exposed to the virus even if you’re vaccinated and not showing any symptoms. It’s yet another change in guidance that has many people asking, what good is being vaccinated? The answer, of course, is lower chance of infection and lower seriousness of illness if infected. But the CDC is saying new data suggests "vaccinated people infected by Delta may still carry large amounts of the virus and transmit it to others."

According to Los Angeles County’s Public Health Director, 26% of new cases there are from fully vaccinated people. That’s up from 20% in June. But health officials continue to say that’s totally expected and nothing to get alarmed about. And we say again, the vaccine reduces the severity of cases in those who do get a breakthrough infection.

The Lollapalooza music festival begins today in Chicago’s Grant Park. But those wanting to attend will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test within the last three days. The festival is expected to be back at full capacity, with roughly 100,000 daily attendees over four days.

In the United States cases were up 145%, deaths are up 6%, and hospitalizations are up 70% over 14 days. The 7-day average of new cases has been trending up since July 5. 

There are now 5,255,434 active cases in the United States.

Keeping in mind that several states have stopped reporting their daily case numbers, the five states with the most new cases: Florida 16,038. Texas 9,524. California 7,478. Louisiana 4,699. And Georgia 3,828.

The top 10 counties with the highest number of recent cases per capita according to The New York Times: Dimmit, TX. Tangipahoa, LA. Ascension, LA. Livingston, LA. Lafourche, LA. East Feliciana, LA. Uvalde, TX. St. Mary, LA. Stone, MS. And West Baton Rouge, LA.

There have been at least 611,779 deaths in U.S. recorded as Covid-related.

The top 3 vaccinating states by percentage of population that’s been fully vaccinated: Vermont at 67.4%, Massachusetts unchanged at 63.6%, and Maine at 63.3%. The bottom 3 vaccinating states are Alabama unchanged at 34.1%, Mississippi unchanged again at 34.2%, and Arkansas unchanged again at 36%. The percentage of the U.S. that’s been fully vaccinated is at 49.2%.

The 5 countries with the largest recent 24-hour increase in the number of fully vaccinated people: Zambia up 17%. Taiwan 10%. Vietnam 7%. Saudi Arabia 6%. And Sri Lanka, Lebanon, and the Philippines 4%.

Globally, cases were up 21% and deaths were up 5% over 14 days, with the 7-day average trending up since June 21.

There are 14,365,832 active cases around the world.

The five countries with the most new cases: The United States 84,534. Brazil 48,443. Indonesia 47,791. India 43,211. And Iran 33,817.

There have now been at least 4,185,754 deaths reported as Covid-related worldwide.

For the latest updates, subscribe for free to Vaccine 411 on your podcast app or ask your smart speaker to play the...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.