U.S. faces massive COVID-19 surge, as some leaders move to block masks

COVID-19 is killing more than 600 people each day in the United States, a rate that has more than doubled in just four weeks.

Oregon’s governor ordered the deployment of 500 National Guard troops to help hospitals deal with an influx of severely ill Covid patients. The state is seeing its largest surge since the pandemic began, with more than 700 people hospitalized and a quarter of those in intensive care.

Just hours after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommended a third dose of vaccines for immunocompromised people, U.S. pharmacies said they were ready to start administering shots. People seeking a third dose are being asked to show proof of their medical condition.

Texas and Florida are among the worst-hit states. However, the Republican governors of both states have sought to block school districts from requiring students at public schools to wear masks.On Friday, a Texas court upheld the schools’ rights to require masks. U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona sent a letter to both governors expressing concern about their executive orders, saying they sought to prohibit school districts from "voluntarily adopting science-based strategies.”

From Sunday, unvaccinated Americans wishing to visit Germany will have to quarantine for 10 days. Germany classified the United States as "high risk" on Friday. If a traveler tests negative for COVID-19 after five days, the rest of the quarantine requirement will be waived.

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