Deaths due to COVID-19 in the United States crossed the grim mark of 700,000 on Friday, revealed data from Johns Hopkins University.

This comes with an average of more than 1,000 deaths every day, in a country with 55.7% of its population being fully vaccinated, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though the latest worldwide COVID wave peaked in late August, the virus continues to spread, especially in the United States. The country’s vaccination campaign reached a peak in April, but has slowed down considerably. Masking also continues to be political issue. While the governors of Texas and Florida have sought a ban on mandatory masking in their states, California has announced on Friday that COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for all students… (NDTV – AFP, October 2, 2021)