'Steady increase' in vaccines in past month, White House says

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now categorizing the U.S. as having "high" community transmission, with nearly 62% of counties in the nation reporting high (43.79%) or substantial (18.17%) transmission.

New York County, which includes Manhattan, is among those now reporting substantial community transmission.

One month ago, only 8% of counties were reporting high transmission. 

Louisiana, Florida, and Arkansas have the country's highest case rate with over 300 new cases per 100,000 residents.

Missouri follows closely behind with 200 new cases per 100,000 residents.

Hospitalization numbers are also rising. More than 27,300 COVID-10 patients are in hospitals across the country -- a 36.8% jump in the last week.

-ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough announced Monday that COVID-19 vaccines will be mandatory for the department’s health care personnel.

Four VA employees, all of whom were unvaccinated, died in recent weeks, the department said. At least three of those cases were linked to the delta variant.

VA employees will have eight weeks to be fully vaccinated.

McDonough said this mandate is "the best way to keep Veterans safe, especially as the Delta variant spreads across the country."

-ABC News’ Cindy Smith

All unvaccinated New York City municipal workers will have to get weekly testing by the start of school in September, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio's office.

The new requirement will apply to all city workers, including police officers, firefighters and teachers. The new rule will go into effect on Sept. 13, when students are expected to return to public schools.

The New York Police Department has a 43% vaccination rate while about 55% of New York City Fire Department employees are vaccinated.

Workers in publicly run residential or congregate care facilities, like nursing homes, must present proof of vaccination even earlier, on Aug. 16.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a similar mandate on Monday. Beginning on Aug. 9, state employees and health care workers must show proof of vaccination or get tested regularly.

In California, 75% of those eligible have received at least one dose.

"Everyone that can get vaccinated—should," Newsom tweeted.

-ABC News’ Aaron Katersky

An indoor mask mandate has been reinstated in Savannah, Georgia, effective immediately, amid a steep rise in the daily number of COVID-19 cases, Mayor Van Johnson said.

The increase is likely due to the delta variant, relatively low vaccination rates and gatherings where people let their guard down, officials said.

"Are we effectively punishing those who did the right thing who took the vaccine?" the mayor said. "Yes, we probably are."

To those still hesitant to get the vaccine, Johnson said, "The wait and see time is over."

-ABC News’ Alexandra Faul