Fourth of July Celebrations Spark Fear of Rising COVID-19 Cases
A few days ahead of the Fourth of July celebrations, health officials expressed concerns about the possible spike of COVID-19 and its new variants.
Independence Day celebrations in 2021 are very different from what happened in 2020. Despite the fact that there is still the threat of COVID-19, this year's Fourth of July weekend is open to more gatherings, including the opening of swimming pools and organized firework displays.
In a statement with the University of Kansas Health System, Liberty hospital's chief medical officer, Dr. Raghu Adiga, said that the festivities that will happen on the Fourth of July raise concerns. However, he also added that it is a small advantage that the festivities are happening outdoors.
According to KSN, Missouri is currently a hotspot for COVID-19 cases in the United States. Kansas City and St. Louis are currently facing increasing cases but Springfield has seen a very dangerous surge.
The spike in cases in the state has caused concerns in state leaders. Many are worried that the surge in the number of cases along with the number of people who will be joining the celebrations for the weekend will amplify the spread of COVID-19.
On Thursday, Governor Laura Kelly of Kansas shared a tweet reminding everyone that a new strain of COVID-19 is spreading and to be careful over the Fourth of July celebrations. She also shared a new PSA campaign reminding people to get vaccinated.
Fourth of July 2021: Officials Urge Residents to Remain Cautious
On the other hand, with millions of people expected to travel for the Independence Day weekend, health officials from Orange County California have encouraged people to remain careful amid the festivities.
According to Spectrum News, health officials and scientists are deeply concerned about the Delta variant of COVID-19. The said variant, which is a mutation of SARS-CoV-2, is said to be more contagious than any COVID-19 strains.
Deputy county health officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong of Range County Health Care Agency stated that the Delta variant has presented an increasing portion of the COVID-19 cases in the US in recent weeks.
However, she also emphasized that getting vaccinated is crucial to protecting oneself since vaccines manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson are found effective against COVID-19 strains, including the Delta variant.
Warnings from health officials in Orange County come as they reported that 70% of county residents ages 18 and above have already received at least their first dose of the vaccine before the Fourth of July weekend.
In a report by USA Today, at least 67% of adult Americans and more than 50% of all U.S. citizens have received at least their first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine.
White House coronavirus response coordinator, Jeff Zients, considers the vaccination effort a success despite falling short of their initial goal of giving jabs to at least 70% of all Americans by the Fourth of July.
At least 47 million Americans are expected to travel during the Independence Day weekend, which is the second-highest travel volume for the Fourth of July, trailing behind 2019, AAA reported.
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