U.S. Visitors to be Required to Get Vaccinated before Entry

The United States is likely to re-open gradually to international visitors. With that, foreign visitors will eventually need to have full vaccination before entry to the U.S. territory.

A rise in Covid-19 cases, especially among the unvaccinated,  was seen amid the spread of the delta variant, which recently hit Florida in particular. On Tuesday, the state registered 11,515 hospitalized patients, breaking last year’s record for the third straight day. Moreover, it was higher than the 1,000 in mid-June.

According to the Florida Hospital Association (FHA), coronavirus-related hospitalizations are up 13% from July 23, 2020. The FHA said they expect 60% of hospitals in the state to face a critical staffing shortage in the next 7 days.

A press release on Tuesday showed the number of patients hospitalized with Covid-19 in Florida. The Association reports 84% of all patients beds and 86.5% of ICU beds are currently occupied. 

It also said that of those hospitalized with Covid-19, 21% are in the ICU and 13% are on ventilators. 

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Delta variant now accounts for an estimated 93.4% of coronavirus circulating in the U.S. 

China Tightens Restrictions

Meanwhile, China tightened travel restrictions to curb the spread of the Delta variant,  which is by far, the worst Covid-19 outbreak in months. The government cancelled some domestic flights and suspended a number of rail lines.

There are more restrictions on the movement of people inside China. That is with localised transport closures and stay-at-home orders in some places in the cities, and outside China’s borders.

China had previously boasted of its success in overcoming Covid-19. There had been hard lockdowns in the early stages and with tight controls of its borders. However, mass testing campaigns revealed there were Delta variant infections across the country now.

Almost 500 domestic cases have been reported since mid-July. Local governments have tested entire cities and locked down millions. The official figures on Wednesday indicated 71 new infections. That was so far, the most, since January. 

This is seen to still be a low number considering the outbreak was spreading to dozens of cities.

Meanwhile, Wuhan, where the virus first emerged in 2019, reported its first local infections in over a year this week. It said on Tuesday it was “swiftly launching” testing of all 11 million residents.