Delta variant accounts for 83% of US COVID-19 cases, CDC says

The delta variant of the coronavirus now accounts for an estimated 83% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., an increase of 50% from the week of July 3.

Atlanta man contracts COVID-19 breakthrough infection months after being vaccinated

Breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people are rare, but they can happen. Jim Issa, a 50-year-old commercial director in Atlanta got vaccinated in April with the Pfizer two-dose vaccine. He was stunned when he and several vaccinated friends tested positive for the virus after a July Fourth getaway weekend at a lake house.

Japanese prime minister says the world needs to see a safe Olympics

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday the world needs to see that Japan can stage a safe Olympics amid a local state of emergency.

Georgia health officials see climb in summer respiratory viruses in children

Wellstar Health System doctors confirm Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV cases are on the rise in the Peach State. RSV typically peaks in the late fall and wraps up around spring. This year, cases are ramping up in July.

Stocks plunge over delta variant fears; Biden seeks to reassure over economy

Fears of the spreading delta variant of the coronavirus prompted a slide in stocks on Monday. Airlines, hotels, cruise ships, and other tourism-based companies had some of the biggest stock losses.

Fauci: Smallpox, polio would still exist if faced with same vaccine misinformation as COVID-19

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading expert on infectious diseases said he’s “certain” that the U.S. would not be able to contain other deadly illnesses like polio or smallpox if misinformation for those vaccines spread like it over COVID-19.

Olympic sponsor Toyota pulls Games-related ads in Japan, citing 'mixed sentiment' over event

One of the Olympic Games' top sponsors announced it will be pulling any Games-related TV ads in Japan, citing "many issues with these Games that are proving difficult to be understood."

COVID-19 pandemic recession ended in April 2020, shortest on record

The recession that broke out with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic lasted just two months, officially ended in April 2020. That makes it the shortest downturn on record, according to the committee of economists that determines when recessions begin and end.

Judge rules Indiana University can mandate COVID-19 vaccine for students, staff

In a ruling dated Sunday, U.S. District Judge Damon Leichty in South Bend rejected a request from eight IU students who sought to block the requirement.

Nurses union calls on CDC to reinstate universal mask guidelines

In a letter addressed to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, the National Nurses Union called on the agency to reinstate universal mask-wearing guidelines and to implement more robust data tracking for infections among health care workers and breakthrough cases.

Biden: 'Killing people' remark was call to action for social media companies

President Joe Biden is tempering his assessment that social media giants are “killing people” by hosting misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines on their platforms.

AAP: Students, staff should wear masks in schools — regardless of vaccination status

The American Academy of Pediatrics released a set of recommendations ahead of the upcoming school year to help stave off further growth of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations include vaccinations for all eligible people and mask-wearing in class, regardless of vaccination status.

CDC raises UK travel warning to highest level amid COVID-19 surge

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control raised its travel alert for the United Kingdom to the highest level amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Canada to open U.S. border to fully vaccinated citizens Aug. 9

Those that wish to cross the border will need to show a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of crossing the border, as well as showing proof of a full series of vaccines at least two weeks prior to crossing the border.