Cases are surging and hospital bed use is climbing

Plus: 17 on cruise ship tested positive for Covid

Across the U.S., a number of states are battling against a surge of Covid-19 cases. The country is now averaging over 120,000 new cases per day, with the steepest growth being seen in New Hampshire, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. Over the past week, Johns Hopkins University reported that over 11,000 people died from Covid in the past week. As of today, nearly every U.S. state has at least 70% of its ICU and hospital beds occupied. 19 states, many of which are seeing a surge in Covid cases, have more than 80% of their hospital beds occupied. 

The current surge is primarily driven by the delta variant, but more and more states are seeing Covid cases caused by the omicron variant - 17 so far. That's cause for concern because a pair of preliminary studies out of South Africa suggest the omicron variant spreads twice as quickly as the delta variant and may be three times as likely to reinfect those that have already recovered from Covid-19.

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More Covid News

The Dow rose nearly 2% today as investors brushed off rising concerns about the Covid omicron variant.

Italy introduced a series of tough new restrictions for unvaccinated people as officials move to contain rising levels of Covid-19.

A new poll finds more members of Generation Z—people ages 13 to 24— say their lives have been negatively affected by the coronavirus than millennials or members of Generation X.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a Covid-19 vaccine mandate today for all private employers in New York City by the end of the month. 

The FDA has authorized Eli Lilly and Co.’s Covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatment for emergency use for children ages 11 and under. 

What Else We Are Reading

• Vaccine Debates Are Responsible for 2021’s Fastest-Growing Bible Search Term: Sorcery (Christianity Today)

• The pandemic forced an experiment in delivering intensive mental health care from home. Will the approach stick? (Stat)

• Omicron may not be more dangerous than other variants, early hospital report suggests (Popular Science)