Another possible wave of COVID-19 could hit US, warn officials

The health officials in the US are sounding the alarm over a surge in COVID-19 cases just as the country prepares to celebrate a Fourth of July holiday, according to CNN. According to the report, In Arkansas, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the nation, COVID cases are surging again. The officials have warned that Los Angeles County, where the vaccination rate is slightly above the national average, could report possible wave of infections, especially given the rapid spread of the Delta variant.

“We are now going in the wrong direction yet again,” said Dr Cam Patterson, chancellor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

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Arkansan governor said over 90% of active virus cases are reported among people who have not been vaccinated. Arkansas has fully vaccinated only 34.3% of its total population, federal data shows.

Nationally, the seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases has been going up for six straight days, according to a CNN analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University.

Dr Rochelle Walensky, head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said if data is to be considered, it is clear that communities where people remain unvaccinated are vulnerable.

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Health Director Barbara Ferrer said 4 million unvaccinated people can trigger another wave of COVID.

US health expert Dr Anthony Fauci asked people to follow COVID appropriate behaviour during July 4 celebrations. He said, “That is, if you were vaccinated, you have a high degree of protection. If you are not, you should wear a mask, and you should think very seriously about getting vaccinated.”

Jeff Zients, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, echoed Fauci’s advice.

“It’s an appropriate time to step back and celebrate the progress we’ve made,” Zients said during a briefing.