Why are you worried about the new variant?
Dr. Huerta explains 1:01
(CNN) -
A dangerous variant of the coronavirus is already wreaking havoc in other parts of the world, and one expert warns that it is critical for the United States to adhere to security measures over the next few months in order to beat another spike in cases and keep women alive. people safe.
Variant B.1,1.7, first detected in the UK, is more contagious, can cause more serious illness and is rapidly infecting younger populations, epidemiologist Michael Osterholm told CNN Tuesday night.
Recent research suggests that the variant may also be more deadly.
"If we could hold out, if we could have enough vaccines between now and summer, we could actually beat her," Osterholm said.
But… we are impatient.
Variant B.1,1.7, hits several countries
The variant has already caused dangerous increases in cases in other countries.
In France, where health officials warned last month that the variant was spreading rapidly, more than 5,000 COVID-19 patients are now in intensive care units (ICUs), for the first time since April last year.
Officials in Turkey reported the highest daily count of cases since the onset of the pandemic and the majority of those infections were caused by variant B.1,1.7.
In Canada, the variant has led to more infections and hospitalizations, and officials have reported a growing number of serious illnesses, even in younger patients.
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Top health officials are concerned that the United States may go in a similar direction, as a large portion of the population remains vulnerable to the virus.
Only about 16.1% of Americans have been fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"The trajectory of the pandemic in the United States appears similar to that of many other countries in Europe, including Germany, Italy and France, as it did a few weeks ago," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Monday.
But it doesn't have to be that bad.
"In the United States it will totally depend on how much we are going to open," said Osterholm, who noted that the United States is the only country that is relaxing security measures while variant B.1,1.7 is spreading.
"In a sense, we are creating the perfect storm."
That, Osterholm said, could mean more lives lost.
Governor says 'no, thanks' to mask use mandates
Health officials like Walensky have urged Americans to keep wearing a mask and have stressed that some states could open too quickly at a critical time.
On Monday, President Joe Biden called on the nation's leaders to reinstate masking mandates, adding: "This is not politics."
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, who lifted all local face mask orders earlier this month, responded via Twitter.
"Let me clarify this: POTUS Biden wants Mississippi to change course and reinstate a mask-wearing mandate because cases are increasing in New York and New Jersey," Reeves wrote.
"No, thank you, Mr. President," he added.
Also Tuesday, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that he would lift the statewide mask-wearing mandate, adding that companies are free to require customers to wear face masks.
"I have spoken with several restaurant owners who will continue to require masks within their restaurant for the safety of their employees and customers," said the governor.
"Please be respectful and aware that, although the mask use mandate has been lifted, many companies will continue to demand it."
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will also go ahead with her plan to end the state's mask-wearing mandate next week, a spokesperson told CNN this week.
“As Governor Ivey has previously stated, Alabama's mask-wearing mandate ends on April 9.
We have made progress and we are moving towards personal responsibility and common sense, not towards endless government mandates, ”said spokeswoman Gina Maiola.
4 reasons not to stop using a mask even when vaccinated 0:43
More leaders reduce restrictions
Other national leaders also announced that they were easing restrictions.
In Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Tuesday that some restrictions, including strict occupancy limits for bars and restaurants, will be relaxed this week.
The state's mask-wearing mandate will remain in effect, the governor said.
He added that a region of Louisiana has seen an increase in cases and hospitalizations, likely due to variant B.1,1.7.
"While covid-19 and its variants remain a significant public health risk, by using vaccination tools, masking and distancing, we can keep ourselves and our loved ones safe," Edwards said in a statement.
In California, 13 counties moved to a less restrictive level, state health officials said Tuesday.
The state has established a tier system that helps determine how much a county can open based on various metrics, including case rates and positivity rates.
Among those moving to a less restrictive level are Los Angeles and Orange counties, which will now be designated as a moderate risk level.
Los Angeles County health officials announced Tuesday that beginning April 5, assuming the number of cases does not increase, various restrictions will be relaxed.
Bars that do not offer food will be able to open outdoors with certain security measures, restaurants will be able to increase their capacity to eat indoors, and cinemas, retail stores and personal care services will also be able to increase their capacity.
"There is a lot to be optimistic about," Barbara Ferrer, county public health director, said in a statement.
“However, we cannot lower our guard.
Another wave here would be dangerous and stop our recovery progress.
We will act quickly to introduce measures to limit transmission and these measures would push us back. '
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About half of older adults in the U.S. are fully vaccinated
Experts continue to urge vigilance until enough people can be vaccinated and protected against the virus to prevent its spread.
About 96 million people have received at least one dose of a vaccine, about 28.9% of the U.S. population, and about 53.4 million are fully vaccinated, CDC data shows.
Just under half of the nation's 65-year-old or older population (49.8%) is fully vaccinated, and more than seven in 10 older adults in the US have received at least one dose, the data shows.
Priority was given to the oldest and highest-risk groups at the start of vaccination throughout the country.
By now, all 50 states have expanded, or plan to expand, vaccine eligibility for everyone 16 and older.
Pfizer's covid-19 vaccine is the only one available for use by people over the age of 16, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are restricted to people over the age of 18.
Arkansas was the last state to announce that in-state vaccine eligibility has now expanded to anyone 16 years of age or older.
CNN's Pierre Bairin Dan Merica, Deidre McPhillips, Sarah Moon, Dave Alsup, Jamiel Lynch, and Betsy Klein contributed to this report.
Coronavirus variants
