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

The U.S. saw its largest single-day increase in nearly nine months Friday.

ByEmily Shapiro, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso, Morgan Winsor, and Marlene Lenthang
Last Updated: August 2, 2021, 7:10 AM EDT

The United States is facing a COVID-19 surge this summer as the more contagious delta variant spreads.

More than 613,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 and over 4.2 million people have died worldwide, according to real-time data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

Just 57.9% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC on Tuesday, citing new science on the transmissibility of the delta variant, changed its mask guidance to now recommend everyone in areas with substantial or high levels of transmission -- vaccinated or not -- wear a face covering in public, indoor settings.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern.
Jul 29, 2021, 2:54 PM EDT

US approaching same case, hospitalization levels as 1 year ago

One year ago, the U.S. was beginning to see a downturn in COVID-19 cases following a summer surge. On July 27, 2020, the U.S. was averaging about 63,400 new COVID-19 cases per day.

Now, one year later, the U.S. case average is trending in the wrong direction, averaging nearly 62,000 new cases a day.

A six-year-old boy waves to his father from outside his hospital room on July 26, 2021, in Osage Beach, Mo.
Sarah Blake Morgan/AP

The new infection average is up by 64.1% in the last week and 440% since mid-June.

Hospitalization levels are also nearing last summer’s numbers. More than 33,000 COVID-19 patients are now receiving care, close to the 37,000 patients hospitalized on Aug. 1, 2020.

Daily deaths, however, are significantly lower now than they were last summer.

-ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos

Jul 29, 2021, 2:06 PM EDT

Vaccinations up in Louisiana, Kentucky

Louisiana reported more than 10,000 vaccine doses per day over the last week, the first time the state’s daily numbers climbed above 10,000 since April, according to state data.

Kentucky is seeing a "little bit of an uptick" in vaccinations, Gov. Andy Beshear said, as cases skyrocket in the state.

In this June 4, 2021, file photo, a man receives a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine during a mobile vaccination mission in the arcade area at Mile Wide Beer Co. in Louisville.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images

When asked if he was considering a mask mandate, Beshear said, "I am not currently considering reinstating the mask mandate, but it's still on the table if needed."

Kentucky Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said 95% of all cases involve unvaccinated individuals.

-ABC News’ Will Gretsky and Jason Volack

Jul 29, 2021, 1:16 PM EDT

Israel to give 3rd vaccine dose to those 60 and over

In Israel, a third vaccine dose can be administered to people 60 and older beginning Aug. 1, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said.

Yoel Mor receives his third dose of COVID19 vaccine at Sheba Medical Center on July 14, 2021, in Ramat Gan, Israel.
Amir Levy/Getty Images

The third shot will be given to those who received a second dose at least five months ago.

-ABC News’ Bruno Nota

Jul 29, 2021, 12:34 PM EDT

University of Missouri requiring masks in classrooms

The University of Missouri is requiring masks in classrooms, including for those who are vaccinated as of Aug. 2, the school said.

COVID-19 cases are surging in Missouri. The state's positivity rate stands at 14.7%.

The university said the temporary mask requirement will be reviewed by Sept. 15.

-ABC News’ Will Gretsky

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