Protests against mandated COVID-19 vaccines pop up across US

Pushback is happening over vaccine requirements and mask mandates.

Last Updated: August 8, 2021, 11:56 PM EDT

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

More than 615,000 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 58.4% 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 last week, 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.
Aug 02, 2021, 5:14 PM EDT

Provincetown 'well on our way to containment,' official says

The town leader of Provincetown, Massachusetts, said the city is "well on our way to containment" following the outbreak of over 880 COVID-19 cases since July.

Provincetown Town Manager Alex Morse said in a Facebook post Monday evening that the total number of active cases among Provincetown residents decreased to 59.

Positivity rates have been under 5% the last three days, down from a peak of 15% on July 15, according to Morse.

"The number of people recovering each day far exceeds the number of new cases being added. We are optimistic this will continue," Morse wrote.

As of Monday, 882 people, including 231 Provincetown residents, have contracted the coronavirus since the cluster cases emerged following the Fourth of July weekend.

Only seven hospitalizations associated with this cluster have been reported to date two of whom were out of state residents, and those patients have been released, health officials told ABC News. No deaths from this cluster have been reported so far, Morse wrote.

-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos

Aug 02, 2021, 5:13 PM EDT

16 cases linked to July motorcycle event

Michigan health officials are urging attendees of a recent motorcycle event to get tested after 16 COVID-19 cases were linked to it.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said they are investigating the outbreak that was linked to the Muskegon Bike Time event, which was held from July 15 to 18.

Some individuals were at the event while they were infected, according to the health department.

"Attendees at Bike Time may have been exposed and are urged to get tested based on CDC’s latest guidelines," Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS, said in a statement.

-ABC News' Darren Reynolds and Josh Hoyos

Aug 02, 2021, 4:20 PM EDT

Bay Area reinstates mask mandate

Health officials from eight Bay Area counties, including San Francisco and the city of Berkeley, announced Monday they will be reinstating a mask mandate for all residents for indoor activities.

The new orders go into effect at midnight. The order comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise in California, due to the delta variant, according to officials.

"While there may be slight differences between each jurisdictions' orders issued today, they all have one thing in common. A simple step, wearing a mask indoors to provide one more layer of protection for everyone," Dr. Chris Farnitano, the health officer for Contra Costa County, said at a news conference.

Aug 02, 2021, 3:42 PM EDT

Nearly 60% of counties reporting high community transmission

In the U.S., 59.72% of counties are reporting high community transmission. Five weeks ago, only 8% of counties were reporting high transmission, according to federal data.

Louisiana now has the highest case rate in the country with more than 600 new cases per 100,000 residents, according to federal data.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Monday reinstated a statewide indoor mask mandate for everyone ages 5 and above.

Louisiana is followed by Florida, Arkansas and Mississippi with 500, 400 and 300 new cases per 100,000 residents respectively.

Wearing layers of protective gear, a nurse prepares her equipment tray for the next patient as she works in the COVID-19 ward at UF Health's downtown Jacksonville campus, July 30, 2021.
Bob Self/Florida Times-Union via USA Today Network

PHOTO: New Orleans Saints mascot Gumbo leads a second line band as fans arrive to watch practice during NFL football training camp in Metairie, La., July 31, 2021.
Fans await the start of a match against Atlanta United at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, Fla., July 30, 2021.
USA Today Sports via Reuters

-ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos

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