The B.1.1.7 variant appears to infect human cells more easily and one CDC simulation of its transmissibility has raised concerns that it could become the most dominant form of coronavirus in March.
The CDC has called for continued and aggressive distribution of vaccines to try to stem the tide. “Higher vaccination coverage may need to be achieved to protect the public,” CDC researchers warned.
According to the CDC, at least 12.2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered since Friday amid a federal crackdown that has intensively and thoroughly investigated government officials.
Some states were upset about the news from Alex Azar, secretary of health and human services, who said there was no “reserve stock” of vaccines available to release.
Misery with vaccines
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said she was “shocked and shocked” and said her state should impose a two-week delay to vaccinate more seniors.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said Friday he is “extremely disappointed that we have been lied to” about the reserve vaccines, and that the next vaccines “will be delivered in the future of the supply chain.”
‘There is no inflow of doses, other than what we had with the vice president [and] the Minister of Health three days ago, where they informed us that we would get an extra amount for the states, ‘the governor said.
Polis estimates that of the 58,000 remaining doses in Colorado, “it will probably be used first or almost all by Sunday.”
Governors of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota wrote to Azar, critical of federal plans and hoping they could buy vaccines directly from manufacturers.
“Without additional provision or authorization to buy directly, our states could be forced to cancel plans for public vaccination clinics in the coming weeks, which are expected to vaccinate tens of thousands. It’s time for the Trump administration to do the right thing and help us. end this pandemic, ”reads the letter.
Pfizer on Friday tried to reassure the state’s leadership and the public about the vaccine’s production and said it did not expect any interruptions in the shipment.
“Operation Warp Speed recently asked us to start shipping second doses. As a result, we have all the second doses of previous shipments available to the US. We work 24 hours a day to produce millions more per day,” said Pfizer. said in a statement to CNN.
Mask restrictions still vary by state
Meanwhile, a recent coronavirus projection from the University of Washington estimates 566,720 deaths by May 1 in the US.
The University’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) said the figure could be reduced by about 32,000 deaths with universal mask requirements.
Mask requirements are strongly encouraged by health officials to slow down the spread of the coronavirus, and its implementation is expected to have a direct impact on future infections and deaths. State and local responses differed greatly. Some states still do not maintain any mask guidelines, allowing businesses to set their own rules.
On Friday, Mississippi extended its masked wear in all counties except nine through Feb. 3.
“It’s important that we continue to take this virus seriously. We’re working to get vaccinated against Mississippians, but keep social distance, keep the gatherings small and wear your mask,” said Tate Reeves government.
North Dakota, however, said officials were seeing its Covid-19 numbers fall from an earlier outbreak, and Governor Doug Burgum said the mask mandate may expire Monday, repeating in a newsletter “we need to stay vigilant.”
North Dakota capacity constraints for bars, restaurants and meeting rooms will be changed from requirements to recommendations.
CNN’s Maggie Fox, Bianna Golodryga, Yon Pomrenze, Lauren del Valle, Melissa Alonso, Devon Sayers, Amanda Sealy, Kay Jones, Hollie Silverman and Rob Frehse contributed to this report.