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COVID-19 live updates: Judge rules Florida governor stop banning mask mandates in schools
Ten Florida school districts have adopted mask mandates for students this month.
The United States is facing a COVID-19 surge this summer as the more contagious delta variant spreads.
More than 634,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 while over 4.4 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 60.8% 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:
Kentucky reports record hospitalizations, ICU patients
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear tweeted a dire update on the state's COVID-19 cases.
The state health department reported that 2,014 people are currently hospitalized with the virus, 589 of whom are in intensive care units and 338 are on ventilators. Beshear said these are record numbers.
"Folks, this is dangerous. Please, get vaccinated and mask up indoors," the governor tweeted.
Oregon issues mask mandate for outdoor activities
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced a new mask requirement for outdoor activities.
The order, which goes into effect Friday, applies to all residents regardless of vaccine status during "outdoor settings in which individuals from different households are unable to consistently maintain physical distance."
"The rule does not apply to fleeting encounters, such as two individuals walking by one another on a trail or in a park," the governor's office said in a news release.
Outdoor gatherings in private residences are also exempt.
Brown cited the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the state fueled by the delta variant as the motive behind the rule.
Hospitalizations could double by mid-September: CDC
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed new COVID-19 forecast models Tuesday that showed daily hospitalizations could more than double by mid-September.
By Sept. 20 the U.S. could see hospitalizations as high as 27,000 a day, according to the agency's models. Currently the seven-day average of COVID-19 related hospitalizations is 12,190, according to the CDC.
The peak seven-day average was 16,492 in January, according to health data.
The low-end of the CDC's forecast's models is 7,800 hospitalizations a day.
Health officials stress that a change in behavior, including masking, vaccination and social distancing, will reduce severe illness and hospitalization.
-ABC News' Brian Hartman
ICU beds for COVID-19 patients in Arkansas full: Gov
There are currently no COVID-19 intensive care unit beds available in the state of Arkansas, a situation Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson referred to as a "cautionary note for everyone" Tuesday.
"It fluctuates day by day. But right now, because of the increased number of COVID patients that need that type of ICU care, those beds are full," Hutchinson told reporters.
There are still ICU beds available for non-COVID patients, Hutchinson noted.
Arkansas lags behind the national average in vaccinations. As of Monday, 52% of residents had received at least one dose, and 40% were fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By comparison, 61% of Americans have gotten at least one shot and 52% are fully vaccinated.
-ABC News' Libby Cathey
Chicago to mandate vaccinations for all city workers
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Monday afternoon that city workers will have to get their COVID-19 vaccines.
Lightfoot said that the city has been working with labor unions over the last several weeks to finalize plans.
"It's for the safety of all involved," she said.
Lightfoot did not immediately reveal a deadline or other details about her order.