Unvaccinated people 11 times more likely to die in COVID-19 delta surge

The unvaccinated were six times more likely to get the virus in August.

ByEmily Shapiro, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso, and Marlene Lenthang
Last Updated: October 18, 2021, 1:16 AM EDT

The United States has been facing a COVID-19 surge as the more contagious delta variant continues to spread.

More than 722,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 while over 4.8 million people have died from the disease worldwide, according to real-time data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

Just 66.5% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the CDC.

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Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Oct 16, 2021, 1:54 PM EDT

Unvaccinated people had over 11 times greater risk of dying from COVID-19 in latest delta surge

The CDC updated its website with data previously released last month that shows vaccines still dramatically reduce the risk of testing positive or dying from COVID-19, even amid the latest delta surge. 

In August, unvaccinated people had an over-six times greater risk of testing positive for COVID-19 and over 11 times greater risk of dying from the virus, compared to the vaccinated, according to federal data pulled from 16 states and jurisdictions. 

In every age group, the death rate was higher for COVID-19 among unvaccinated populations. Americans 80 and older had the highest rate of deaths among fully vaccinated people per capita, though their risk of death was about 5.7 times lower than their unvaccinated counterparts in the same age group. 

-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos

Oct 16, 2021, 10:30 AM EDT

Death toll in Russia tops 1,000 for 1st time

The daily death toll in Russia topped 1,000 for the first time, The Associated Press reported.

There were 1,002 deaths as of Saturday, up from 999 Friday, Russia's national coronavirus task force reported.

About 29% of the country is fully vaccinated, according to its government and there are currently 754,162 active cases, Russian news agency TASS reported.

Oct 15, 2021, 9:26 PM EDT

Undefeated Cardinals to be without head coach for Browns game

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury will miss Sunday's road game against the Cleveland Browns after he tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced Friday night.

Kingsbury, 42, has led the hottest team in the NFL this season. Arizona (5-0) is the only undefeated team left in the league.

Sunday's game figures to be one of the biggest of the week, with the 3-2 Browns suffering only two narrow losses coming off a playoff appearance last year and expectations to contend for a title.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Arizona Cardinals on the sidelines in the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 3, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.
Harry How/Getty Images, FILE

The Cardinals will also be without quarterbacks coach Cam Turner and defensive lineman Zach Allen, who each tested positive Friday. Star outside linebacker Chandler Jones was put on the COVID list earlier this week and won't play.

Kingsbury told reporters exactly three weeks ago that 100% of the Cardinals' roster was vaccinated.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers will split head coaching duties against Cleveland.

Oct 15, 2021, 3:46 PM EDT

CDC updates holiday guidance

The CDC has updated its holiday guidance, urging people to get vaccinated and to wear masks in public indoor places.

The CDC said in a statement: "We fully expect that families and friends will gather for the holidays this year and we have updated our guidance on how to best to stay safe over the holidays. The best way to minimize COVID risk and ensure that people can safely gather is to get vaccinated or get the booster if you’re eligible.”

-ABC News' Anne Flaherty