COVID-19 updates: More than 10,000 new deaths reported in US in 1 week
Some of the highest death tolls are in Texas, Georgia and North Carolina.
The United States is facing a COVID-19 surge this summer as the more contagious delta variant spreads.
More than 672,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 while over 4.6 million people have died from the disease worldwide, according to real-time data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
Just 63.6% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Latest headlines:
- The FDA booster decision shows the process worked: Fauci
- FDA panel votes 'yes' on boosters for people 65 and older or high risk
- FDA panel declines to approve Pfizer boosters for all Americans
- Moderna vaccine appears to provide strongest protection against hospitalization
- More than 10,000 new deaths reported in US in 1 week
Kentucky school district cancels all classes due to increase in cases
Newport Independent Schools in Kentucky has canceled all classes on Friday due to an increase in the number of sick or quarantined students, the district said.
Classes will be virtual on Monday and Tuesday. The district said it plans to return to in-person learning on Wednesday.
More than 10,000 new deaths reported in US in 1 week
The U.S. recorded more than 10,100 confirmed COVID-19 related deaths in one week, according to federal data. States with some of the highest death tolls are Texas, Georgia and North Carolina.
The U.S. reported more than 1.02 million cases over the last week. This is a major step back in the fight against COVID-19; in June, the U.S. recorded just 80,000 new cases in one week.
Tennessee and West Virginia currently have the country's highest case rate, followed by Alaska, Wyoming, South Carolina, Montana and Kentucky, according to federal data.
-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulos
Lions, tigers test positive at National Zoo
Six lions and three tigers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo have tested presumptive positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, the zoo said.
Last weekend the animals were observed to be coughing, sneezing, fatigued and showing decreased appetites, the zoo said. No other animals are showing symptoms.
"Given the substantial distance between the animals and visitors, the public is not at risk," the zoo said. "The Zoo has conducted a thorough investigation of all staff that were in close proximity to the lions and tigers. There is no evidence to pinpoint the source of the infection."
The animals are being treated with antibiotics for presumptive secondary bacterial pneumonia as well as anti-inflammatories and anti-nausea medication.
A vaccine made specifically for zoo animals is expected to be available in the coming months, the zoo said.
FDA advisory panel discussion underway for Pfizer booster shots
The FDA's independent advisory committee meeting is now underway to debate Pfizer's booster shots.
After a full day of presentations, Q&A and debate, the committee will vote at about 4:45 p.m. ET on whether a booster dose is safe enough for widespread use and whether it's necessary and effective at improving protection levels against COVID-19.
The vote will be non-binding. The FDA is not required to follow the advisory committee’s recommendations but generally does so. After that vote, the FDA will formally amend its current vaccine approval for Pfizer.
Next week, the matter heads to the CDC’s independent advisory panel whose members will weigh in on who should get a booster and when. The CDC Director will then formally sign off on what the panel recommends.
-ABC News' Sasha Pezenik