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

After President Joe Biden called on states to offer $100 to those who get vaccinated, Gov. Tim Walz said Minnesota would do just that.

"Good idea, @POTUS," Walz tweeted Thursday evening, following the president's COVID-19 vaccine address. "Starting July 30, every Minnesotan who gets vaccinated will get $100! All you have to do is roll up your sleeves."

Under the new incentive program, Minnesotans ages 12 and up who receive their first dose between Friday and Aug. 15 will be eligible for a $100 Visa gift card.

President Joe Biden is urging local governments to offer $100 to those who get vaccinated with funding from the American Rescue Plan.

Biden will also announce Thursday that all federal government employees and outside contractors will be asked to "attest to their vaccination status," and those who aren’t vaccinated must social distance, get tested once or twice a week and wear a mask at work no matter where they live. This includes members of the Armed Forces and National Guard.

Biden's also set to announce that small and medium businesses will be reimbursed for giving employees paid leave to get their family members vaccinated.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

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.

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

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.

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