COVID-19 updates: More than 10,000 new deaths reported in US in 1 week

Some of the highest death tolls are in Texas, Georgia and North Carolina.

ByEmily Shapiro, Ivan Pereira, Marlene Lenthang, Meredith Deliso, and Morgan Winsor
Last Updated: September 20, 2021, 5:50 AM EDT

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

More than 672,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 while over 4.6 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 63.6% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Sep 15, 2021, 3:18 PM EDT

9 states have more hospitalizations than any point in pandemic

In the last five weeks, the U.S. hasn't reported a single day with fewer than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases, according to federal data. In the nearly six months between Feb. 7 and July 29, there was not a single day with more than 100,000 new cases.

Nine states -- Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia -- currently have more patients hospitalized than at any other point in the pandemic, according to federal data.

But the CDC says hospital admissions will likely decrease over the next four weeks.

Houston Fire Department paramedics transport a woman with breathing difficulties to a hospital on Sept. 14, 2021 in Houston.
John Moore/Getty Images

Death rates are also continuing to surge, with approximately 1,260 Americans dying each day -- up by nearly 50% in the last month, according to the data.

A worker walks past flags that were planted as part of artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg's temporary art installation, "In America: Remember," in remembrance of Americans who have died of COVID-19, on the National Mall in Washington, Sept. 15, 2021.
A worker walks past white flags that were planted as part of artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg's temporary art installation, "In America: Remember," in remembrance of Americans who have died of COVID-19, on the National Mall in Washington, Sept. 15, 2021.
Patrick Semansky/AP

-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos

Sep 15, 2021, 2:48 PM EDT

LA County to require vaccine, negative test for clubs, concerts

Los Angeles County will require vaccination or proof of a negative test for events with more than 10,000 people, including clubs, concerts and sporting events.

A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in Los Angeles, Sept. 10, 2021.
Etienne Laurent/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

As of Tuesday, LA County had 1,224 COVID-19 patients in hospitals.

Sep 15, 2021, 1:22 PM EDT

Kids ages 2 and up must wear masks at day care in NY state

In New York state, masks are now required at child care centers for children ages 2 and above and for all staff and visitors, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a tweet Wednesday.

"These universal mask requirements apply to anyone medically able to tolerate wearing a mask, regardless of vaccination status," the governor said.

"With Delta on the rise, requiring masks is a key part of slowing the spread, reopening our economy safely, and protecting vulnerable New Yorkers," Hochul tweeted. "This new mask requirement ensures that children in our child care facilities receive the same protection as children in our schools."

Sep 15, 2021, 12:21 PM EDT

Wendy Williams has breakthrough COVID

Talk show host Wendy Williams has a breakthrough COVID-19 case, her show said.

The new season of "The Wendy Williams Show" will be postponed to Oct. 4.

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