Almost half of US reports rising COVID infections, with Delta variant ...

Almost half of US reports rising COVID infections, with Delta variant ...
Almost half of US reports rising COVID infections, with Delta variant ...

At least half of the United States is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases as the highly transmissible Indian 'Delta' variant continues to spread, according to a new analysis of Johns Hopkins University data by USA Today.

Health officials mainly in states in the South and West have been reporting increases in infections and hospitalizations over the last two weeks.

Alaska and South Carolina have seen cases more than double in the last two weeks while cases in Arkansas have increased by more than 50 percent. 

In Missouri, infections are up 20 percent from 14 days ago while the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients jumped by about 30 percent over Fourth of July weekend in one area, leading to a temporary shortage of ventilators. 

All five states have among the lowest vaccination rates in America - fully vaccinating less than 44 percent of their total populations - which is below the national average. 

Health experts say the Delta variant is behind the surge, making up more than 26 percent of cases in the U.S. and  three-quarters of all new infections in some states. 

Half of US states have been seeing increases in COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks, a new USA Today analysis of Johns Hopkins data finds

Half of US states have been seeing increases in COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks, a new USA Today analysis of Johns Hopkins data finds

Health experts blame the Indian 'Delta' variant spreading in areas with low vaccination coverage as reports show it makes up as much as 77% of cases in some states

Health experts blame the Indian 'Delta' variant spreading in areas with low vaccination coverage as reports show it makes up as much as 77% of cases in some states

Many states where COVID-19 cases are rising have fully vaccinated less than 44% of their populations - which is below the national average

Many states where COVID-19 cases are rising have fully vaccinated less than 44% of their populations - which is below the national average

The rates of low vaccinations are helping give rise to the Delta variant. 

Known as B.1.617.2, the Delta variant has been labeled as a 'double mutant' by India's Health Ministry because it carries two mutations: L452R and E484Q.

L452R is the same mutation seen with the California homegrown variant and E484Q is similar to the mutation seen in the Brazilian and South African variants.

Both of the mutations occur on key parts of the virus that allows it to enter and infect human cells. 

It is believe to be responsible for the rise in several states, including Arkansas.

Arkansas has seen coronavirus cases surge by 52% from an average of 286 cases per day to 435 per day over the last two weeks

Arkansas has seen coronavirus cases surge by 52% from an average of 286 cases per day to 435 per day over the last two weeks

Arkansas is one of the states to see cases surge with a 52 percent rise from an average of 286 cases per day to 435 per day over the last two weeks, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins data. 

The Natural State has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the nation, having fully vaccinated just 35 percent of its population, according to CDC

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