Florida and Texas have emerged as the new virus hot spots after accounting for a full third of all new COVID cases nationwide last week, according to White House pandemic response coordinator Jeff Zients.

States with low vaccination rates are now seeing a jump in new COVID cases amid the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant, Yahoo News reported. Zients said that they knew that the virus is unpredictable from the start, with the Delta variant exacerbating.

Last month, President Joe Biden declared victory over the COVID pandemic during his July 4 speech, saying that it no longer paralyzes the United States. The president's premature announcement of triumph had allegedly given people a false sense of security.

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Florida COVID Cases

Florida had broken a previous record for current hospitalizations that was set more than a year ago before vaccines were made available in the state.

The state had recorded a total of 10,207 hospitalizations with confirmed COVID cases based on data reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to an Associated Press report.

Florida's earlier record of hospitalizations had been 10,170 before vaccinations became widespread. Florida is now leading for hospitalizations due to the pandemic. 

The state's hospitals are reporting having to put emergency room visitors in beds in hallways. Meanwhile, others had noted a drop in the age of patients.

Jason Salemi, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of South Florida, said that Florida averages 1,525 adult hospitalizations and 35 pediatric admissions per day. Salemi noted that both are the highest per capita rates in the state.

He added that the recent rise is both striking. However, it was not at all surprising. Residents have returned to pre-pandemic activities despite the spread of the delta variant.

Texas COVID Cases

Meanwhile, North Texas officials are reconsidering safety protocols as COVID cases are surging across the state, Dallas News reported.

Across the state, 6,853 people are hospitalized with the virus, according to the Department of State Health Services.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order banning vaccine requirements and mask mandates despite the recent increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations.

However, Administrative District Judge Marciela Moore had passed a ruling that masks must be worn in common areas of Dallas County courthouses.

In addition, the Texas Supreme Court also issued an order that encourages local administrative district judges to follow minimum standard health protocols for court participants.

The said order is also applicable to the public attending court procedures that will be done inside the courtroom.

Republican governors Ron DeSantis and Abbott had fought for COVID restriction mandates. Public experts have said that masks could help reduce the increased transmissibility of the delta variant.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walensky said that this remains to be a pandemic of the unvaccinated. She added that a huge majority of the spread in the country is among those who are not yet vaccinated.

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This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

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