Protests against mandated COVID-19 vaccines pop up across US
Pushback is happening over vaccine requirements and mask mandates.
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.
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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
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.
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.
-ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos
Lindsey Graham tests positive for COVID-19
Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is vaccinated, said he’s tested positive for COVID-19.
"I started having flu-like symptoms Saturday night and went to the doctor this morning," the Republican senator tweeted Monday. "I feel like I have a sinus infection and at present time I have mild symptoms."
Graham continued, "I am very glad I was vaccinated because without vaccination I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now. My symptoms would be far worse."
Florida school district says 2 employees dead from virus, pushes mask mandate
A Florida school district that defied Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on school mask mandates said Tuesday that two of its employees died from the virus last weekend.
Carlee Simon, the superintendent for the Alachua County Schools, said in a statement that the district "is experiencing this spike first-hand."
"Over the weekend two of our employees passed away from COVID," she said in a statement. "We've had 18 new cases in the last three days alone. More than 80 employees are now in quarantine, and that number is rising fast."
The school district, which includes which includes Gainesville, voted Tuesday night to issue a mask mandate for students and staff for the next two weeks. The mandate will be reevaluated on Aug. 17, Simon said.