Delta variant surges in US; states to reimpose COVID-19 restrictions

The rapid spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus has pushed cases and hospitalizations in the United States to a six-month high, with some states like Hawaii saying they will re-impose COVID restrictions to avert straining their healthcare.

“I’ll be signing an executive order that will limit social gatherings, effective immediately,” Hawaii Governor David Ige Ige said in a tweet.

Hawaii has witnessed a rise in COVID cases by 168% since July 26, according to the state’s department of health.

The latest guidelines will now reduce the indoor capacity for bars, gyms, restaurants, and social establishments to 50%.

“Counties will review proposals for all professionally sponsored events (bigger than 50 people) and ensure appropriate safe practices will be implemented,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, US media said the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to authorize a third booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines for people with weakened immune systems.

The health agency will amend the emergency use authorizations for the two vaccines as soon as Thursday to allow immunocompromised people to get an additional dose, the NBC News said.

The FDA is closely monitoring data as it becomes available from studies administering an additional dose of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines to immunocompromised individuals.

A US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel will meet on Friday to review data on booster doses in immune compromised individuals.

“The FDA, along with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC), is evaluating potential options on this issue, and will share information in the near future,” FDA spokesperson Abby Capobianco said.

More than 36,700,000 Americans have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and over 629,000 others died from the virus as of Thursday in the United States.