US travel restrictions stay as COVID cases surge |
The United States notified on 26th July to continue existing COVID-19 restrictions on international travel due to concerns about the surging infection rate because of the delta variant. The White House is recalibrating its thinking around the coronavirus pandemic as the more infectious variant surges across the U.S. and a substantial chunk of the population resists vaccination. This US position was also a reversal from the sentiment President Joe Biden conveyed earlier in July saying the US was `in the process` could soon lift the ban on European travel. The issue was raised by German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her visit to the White House. The delta variant is a mutated coronavirus that spreads more easily than other versions. It was first detected in India but now has been identified around the world. Last week, U.S. health officials said the variant accounts for an estimated 83% of U.S. COVID-19 cases, and noted a 32% increase in COVID hospitalizations from the previous week. The rise in cases has prompted some state and local officials to reinstate masking guidance, even for vaccinated Americans.
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