Yes, This Is Another COVID Wave

Sadly, we’re back to a situation all too familiar - COVID cases are rapidly increasing across the country, nearing the 65,000 cases per day we saw during the second wave in July 2020.

The slight silver lining, however, is that while hospitalizations are increasing (just under 35,000 currently), deaths are markedly lower than they were at the same time in 2020.

Despite being a proven way to curb COVID’s spread and reduce its severity if infected, vaccinations are still stalled, stuck around 500,000 shots administered per day, down from 3.3 million per day in April. 49.2% of the population is fully vaccinated, while 56.9% have at least one dose.

• Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas have the lowest portion of their populations fully vaccinated 

• Vermont, Massachusetts and Maine have the highest proportion of their populations fully vaccinated

Proven methods can help stop the spread

Due to the aggressiveness of the Delta variant, the CDC updated its guidance on masking for fully vaccinated individuals, and for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.

As a public health company, we cannot end this update without a plea - we know you’re tired of COVID and eager to get back to normal (we are, too!) but please continue to be cautious - masking indoors despite the annoyance, getting vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones, and most importantly, staying positive even when it feels tough - we are in this together and together, we’ll get through it.