The Delta variant of the coronavirus has been rapidly spreading across the globe. The variant is being regarded as the most infectious strain of COVID-19 yet, and experts are studying if it is severely affecting even those who are vaccinated. The United States seems to be heading towards its ‘darkest days’ of the pandemic with several states recording hospitalisation numbers close to their highest.

Florida and Louisana have been witnessing a rapid surge in new COVID-19 cases. Both states are at their near highest hospitalisation numbers, reports Reuters. The chief medical officer at a Louisiana hospital said that these were the darkest days of the pandemic.

“We are no longer giving adequate care to patients,” Dr. Catherine O’Neal, chief medical officer of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Urging people to get vaccinated, O’Neal said that several nurses had tested positive for COVID-19 and the hospital was facing a severe staff deficit.

In Florida’s Miami, the Baptist Hospital has reported an increase of over 140% in the past two weeks in the number of people now hospitalised due to coronavirus.

Also read: Why CDC recommends fully vaccinated citizens to wear masks indoors

The US on Monday also reached the goal of getting 70% of American adults at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, a goal that Joe Biden had set while taking oath in January.

The surge in cases has also led to new mask rules and several organisations making vaccinations mandatory. Last week, the Biden administration had made vaccinations mandatory for federal employees.

New CDC guidelines urge even vaccinated people to wear masks indoors. This includes public settings like schools and colleges.

Louisiana has imposed several new rules to make masks mandatory for nearly everyone. Other states like California, New Jersey and New York have also imposed checks for vaccination and to get people to wear masks.