County Reports 867 New COVID Cases, But In Delta Variant 'Silver Lining,' U.S. Vaccination Rates On Rise

San Diego CA

02 August, 2021

3:39 PM

Description

By Editor, Times of San Diego August 1, 2021 San Diego County's Health and Human Services Agency reported 867 new cases of COVID-19, but no more deaths Sunday, as nationally officials see dangers from the Delta variant beginning to drive a rise in vaccinations. That brings the total number of local infections since the pandemic began to 297,226, while the death toll remains at 3,798. The average number of new cases reported across the country has nearly doubled in the past 10 days, according to a Reuters analysis. About 58% of Americans have received at least one dose of vaccine, ranging from a high of 76% in Vermont to a low of 40% in Mississippi. In California, the number stands at 65%. Yet, after declining for weeks, the number of Americans getting vaccinated has started to rise again. "The silver lining of this is that people are waking up to this and this may be a tipping point for those who have been hesitant," National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins told CNN on Sunday. "That's what desperately needs to happen if we're going to get this Delta variant put back in its place, because right now it's having a pretty big party in the middle of the country." Reuters contributed to this report. Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.