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 16, 2021, 3:20 PM EDT

US reports highest daily death toll in nearly 7 months

The U.S. reported a staggering 2,000 COVID-19 related fatalities overnight, marking the highest single-day death total in nearly seven months, according to federal data. Although that large number could be partially due to data backlogs, it's still significant given that the pandemic has been ongoing for 18 months.

Workers plant white flags 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

Workers plant white flags 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

In the last five weeks, the U.S. has not seen a single day with less than 100,000 new cases, according to federal data. This is a massive step back in the fight against COVID-19; between Feb. 7 and July 29, 2021, there was never a day with 100,000 or more new cases.

Tennessee has the country's highest case rate followed by West Virginia, Wyoming, South Carolina, Alaska, Montana and Kentucky.

Sgt. Darrin Cushard and Sgt. Dennis McClarity walk with a cart of PPE supplies in St. Claire Regional Medical Center on Sept. 16, 2021, in Morehead, Ky.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images

Sgt. Katrina Byrne of the Kentucky National Guard works as a pharmacy technician at St. Claire Regional Medical Center on Sept. 16, 2021, in Morehead, Ky.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images

Nine states now have more patients in hospitals than at any point in the pandemic: Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia.

-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos

Sep 16, 2021, 2:45 PM EDT

Idaho expands crisis standards of care statewide

Idaho is expanding its crisis standards of care plan to the entire state due to a surge in hospitalized patients that's exhausting resources.

A registered nurse attends to a COVID-19 patient in the Medical Intensive care unit at St. Luke's Boise Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, Aug. 31, 2021.
Kyle Green/AP, FILE

A nurse holds the hand of a COVID-19 patient in the Medical Intensive care unit at St. Luke's Boise Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, Aug. 31, 2021.
Kyle Green/AP, FILE

"The situation is dire," Dave Jeppesen, director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, said in a statement Thursday. "We don’t have enough resources to adequately treat the patients in our hospitals, whether you are there for COVID-19 or a heart attack or because of a car accident."

An emergency department sign sits outside Kootenai Health, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Sept. 10, 2021.
Young Kwak/AP, FILE

Crisis standards of care was first activated Sept. 6 in North Idaho.

"When crisis standards of care are in effect, people who need medical care may experience care that is different from what they expect," state officials said. "For example, patients admitted to the hospital may find that hospital beds are not available or are in repurposed rooms (such as a conference room) or that needed equipment is not available."

"Not all hospitals will move to that standard of care," state officials said Thursday. "Hospitals will implement as needed and according to their own CSC policies."

Sep 16, 2021, 2:25 PM EDT

Italy votes to mandate COVID health pass for workplaces

A COVID Green Pass will be required for all workers in Italy, in both private and public sectors, beginning Oct. 15, the government announced Thursday.

An employee shows her "Green Pass", a document showing proof of Covid-19 immunity, in an office in Rome, Italy, Sept. 16, 2021.
Yara Nardi/Reuters

A teacher, left, has her so-called "Green Pass" checked by a school worker as she arrives at the "Isacco Newton" high school, in Rome, Sept. 13, 2021.
Andrew Medichini/AP

The Green Pass proves a person is vaccinated, has recovered from COVID-19 or has had a negative test in the last two days.

Employees who go to work without the pass face a five-day suspension without pay.

-ABC News' Christine Theodorou

Sep 16, 2021, 12:20 PM EDT

What to expect at Friday's panel on Pfizer booster shots

An FDA advisory panel will convene in open session Friday to debate the latest booster shot data submitted by Pfizer, and following a non-binding vote, the FDA is expected to formally amend its current vaccine approval for Pfizer.

A syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is prepared in a mobile vaccine clinic operated by Families Together of Orange County in Santa Ana, Calif.
Jae C. Hong/AP

Opening remarks are set for 8:30 a.m. ET. That's followed by introductions by the FDA, presentations from CDC representatives, discussion of booster protection and a presentation from Pfizer.

After a public hearing portion in the afternoon and a Q&A on the Pfizer and FDA presentations, the committee is expected to debate the issue for about two hours. A vote is expected at about 4:45 p.m. ET.

Next week, the matter heads to the CDC’s independent advisory panel whose members will discuss who should get a booster and when.

-ABC News' Sasha Pezenik

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