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.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
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

Oct 15, 2021, 1:52 PM EDT

FDA panel votes to authorize booster shots for J&J vaccine

An independent FDA panel has voted to move forward with Johnson & Johnson vaccine boosters.

PHOTO: Dr. Maureen Mays volunteers her time to give J&J COVID-19 vaccines during a "A shot for a shot" event offering a free cocktail or beer to get a J&J COVID-19 vaccine at Kelly's Olympian, a landmark bar, in Portland on June 3, 2021.
Dr. Maureen Mays, a cardiovascular disease specialist, volunteers her time to give J&J COVID-19 vaccines during a "A shot for a shot" event offering a free cocktail or beer to get a J&J COVID-19 vaccine hosted by Ben Stutz, the owner of Kelly's Olympian, a landmark bar, in Portland on June 3, 2021.
John Rudoff/Sipa USA via AP

The panel’s decision on J&J was broader than for Moderna and Pfizer as it applies to all J&J recipients 18 and older. The timing is also different: The J&J booster can be administered two months after the initial shot.

The 19-person panel voted unanimously.

Johnson & Johnson's one dose has shown to be 85% effective against severe illness, but adding a second dose boosted that to 100%.

Penny Heaton, a J&J executive, acknowledged Friday that J&J’s efficacy is below the mRNA vaccines but said they would be on par if they used a booster.

-ABC News' Anne Flaherty, Cheyenne Haslett, Sasha Pezenik

Oct 15, 2021, 11:17 AM EDT

Cases creeping up in some Midwest, Northeast states

In recent weeks, cases have been creeping up in several states in the Upper Midwest and Northeast. Colorado, New Hampshire, Vermont, Montana, Michigan and Minnesota have seen their case rates jump by 20% or more in the last month, according to federal data.

Alaska currently has the country's highest infection rate, followed by Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, Idaho and West Virginia, according to federal data. California currently has the nation's lowest infection rate.

Since the beginning of September, the U.S. has seen a drop of more than 42,000 COVID-19 patients in hospitals. Daily COVID-19-related hospital admissions are also down by 8.8% in the last week, and by more than 40% in the last month, according to federal data.

West Virginia currently has the country's highest death rate, followed by Idaho and Georgia. Texas alone is reporting thousands of deaths each week.

-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos

Oct 15, 2021, 10:15 AM EDT

Vaccine requirement for foreign travelers to begin Nov. 8

Beginning Nov. 8, foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. by air and nonessential travelers crossing land borders must show proof of full vaccination to enter the U.S., the White House announced Friday.

PHOTO: A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer working at the Point Roberts-Boundary Bay border crossing, in Point Roberts, Wash., is seen from Delta, British Columbia on Oct. 13, 2021.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer working at the Point Roberts-Boundary Bay border crossing, in Point Roberts, Wash., is seen from Delta, British Columbia on Oct. 13, 2021. The U.S. said it will reopen its land borders to nonessential travel next month, ending a 19-month freeze.
Darryl Dyck/AP

Essential workers crossing via land, like those who come for work or school, have until January to become fully vaccinated. 

Air travelers will still be required to show proof of a negative test within 72 hours of departure, in addition to their vaccination status.

-ABC News' Sarah Kolinovsky