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.
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:
- The FDA booster decision shows the process worked: Fauci
- FDA panel votes 'yes' on boosters for people 65 and older or high risk
- FDA panel declines to approve Pfizer boosters for all Americans
- Moderna vaccine appears to provide strongest protection against hospitalization
- More than 10,000 new deaths reported in US in 1 week
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.
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.
-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos
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.
As of Tuesday, LA County had 1,224 COVID-19 patients in hospitals.
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."
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.
FDA panel votes 'yes' on boosters for people 65 and older or high risk
The FDA advisory panel on Friday voted 18-0 in favor of booster shots for anyone 65 and older or anyone at high risk of severe disease from COVID-19.
If the FDA agrees with the plan, which is likely, it’s possible that booster shots would roll out as early as next week to these populations. The CDC would weigh in first though with more specific recommendations on who exactly should take the third shots.
The 18-0 vote comes after the members voted "no" on the question of whether the current data supports a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine for anyone 16 and older.