Average coronavirus cases and deaths are continuing to increase across the U.S, reaching levels not seen in several months.
On Thursday, America recorded 92,714 new cases of the virus, which - although lower than the totals reported the previous two days - is among the highest numbers in six months.
The seven-day rolling average of 93,996 is the highest figure seen since mid-February and an increase of 277 percent from the 24,886 average reported three weeks ago.
Deaths are also continuing to rise with 490 COVID-19 fatalities reported on Thursday and a seven-day rolling average of 411.
It marks a 55 increase from the average of 265 deaths seen just 21 days prior and the first time that the average has surpassed 400 since June 9.
Experts say the surge is due to the highly transmissible Indian 'Delta' variant spreading, primarily in areas with low vaccination rates.
At a press conference on Thursday, Jeff Zients, the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, said that just seven states - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Texas - account for half of new cases and hospitalizations despite making up a quarter of the population.
One doctor is now warning unvaccinated Americans to not assume that if they haven't been infected with COVID-19 so far that they are safe.
'This virus is highly infectious. If you decide to try to run the game clock out, don't try to do it. This virus will find you, it will infect you eventually,' Dr Michael Osterholm, director for the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, told CNN on Wednesday.
'If that's not enough to motivate people to get vaccinated, then the only other things I think we have are the mandates that say: "If you're going to work here or go here...you have to get vaccinated."'
On Thursday, the U.S. recorded 92,714 new cases, a 277% increase from the 24,886 average reported three weeks ago and the highest number since mid-February
Additionally, 490 COVID-19 deaths were reported with a seven-day rolling average of 411, the first time the average has surpassed 400 since June 9
The White House says seven states - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Texas - account for half of new cases and hospitalizations despite making up a quarter of the population
Florida is currently recording the highest number of average infections per day in the nation with 18,454 reported on Wednesday.
This means the Sunshine State has seen cases rise by 76 percent in two weeks from an average of 10,452 cases per day, a DailyMail.com analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University shows.
Additionally, the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) says hospitalizations are up 13 percent from the peak of 10,170 seen on July 23, 2020.
Currently, 84 percent of all inpatient beds and 86.5 percent of ICU beds are occupied.
The FHA also said that it expects up to 60 percent of hospitals in Florida to face a 'critical staffing shortage' within the next week.
Additionally, the state 255 pediatric patients hospitalized with confirmed and suspected COVID-19, behind only Texas and
