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July 14, 2022 - Brief Issue 348

The Coronavirus Daily Brief is a daily news and analysis roundup edited by New America’s International Security Program and Arizona State University.

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Top Headlines

U.S. CDC is Unprepared to Respond to Disease Threat Posed by International Travel Due to Outdated Data Collection Methods, Audit Finds (Health & Science)

Biden Administration Urges Boosters, Antivirals Against BA.5 (Health & Science)

New Zealand Announces Free Tests, Masks Amid Outbreak (Around the World)

Citing Covid, Biden to Reel in Handshaking on Middle East Tour (U.S. Government & Politics)

Inflation Hit 40-Year High in June (U.S. Economy)

Delta Predicts Travel’s Rebound Will Continue After the Summer (U.S. Economy)

Health & Science

There have been 89,222,046 coronavirus cases in the United States, and 1,023,620 people have died (Johns Hopkins). The United States has administered 597,655,035 vaccine doses, with 78.4% of all Americans having received at least one vaccine dose and 67% fully vaccinated. Among adults aged 18 or older 89.7% have received at least one dose, and 76.9% are fully vaccinated (U.S. CDC). 47.9% of fully vaccinated Americans have received a first booster shot. 27.7% of Americans aged 50 or older have received a second booster shot. Worldwide, there have been 559,603,715 cases of coronavirus, with 6,363,542 deaths.

U.S. CDC is Unprepared to Respond to Disease Threat Posed by International Travel Due to Outdated Data Collection Methods, Audit Finds

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relies on outdated systems to collect and analyze data on international air travelers, which makes it difficult to respond to threats of disease, according to a new government report (NYT). The report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said the outdated data collection methods makes it difficult for the government to conduct contact tracing and track public health risks, making the CDC “unable to quickly and accurately identify the number of passengers exposed to a specific infected passenger on a flight.” Travel to and from the United States this summer is approaching pre-pandemic levels, even as the Omicron subvariant known as BA.5 causes surges around the world. GAO said that CDC “concurred with its recommendations” in the report, including that the agency adopt a new data system or redesign its current one. 

Biden Administration Urges Boosters, Antivirals Against BA.5

Biden administration officials said on Tuesday that Americans should take precautions to protect themselves against infection, reinfection, and serious illness in the face of a new surge of cases caused by BA.5 (WaPo). Around 80% of cases in the U.S. are BA.4 and BA.5, both of which are more transmissible and have the ability to evade immunity acquired through prior infection and vaccination. While hospital admissions for Covid-19 are still lower than they were in January, they are increasing: federal data shows that hospital admissions have doubled since early May. Officials say vaccination still provides a high level of protection against severe disease and urged Americans over 60 to get a booster shot. White House coronavirus coordinator Ashish Jha said the administration’s strategy to manage the variants turns on vaccination and antiviral treatments, as well as continued testing, masking, and improving indoor ventilation.  “If we do the things that we know, that we have learned over the last two years, we can get through whatever Mother Nature throws at us in the next four, six, eight weeks ahead,” Jha said. “And also whatever Mother Nature throws at us this fall and winter.” He added,  “Even in the face of BA.5, the tools we have continue to work.” 

Around the World

New Zealand Announces Free Tests, Masks Amid Outbreak

On Thursday the New Zealand government announced free masks and rapid antigen tests would be made available as the country fights the latest surge in Covid-19 cases and the health system sees an influx of patients. Authorities say the significant increase in cases in recent weeks could mean that this wave of Omicron will be worse than the first one. Influenza cases are also increasing and the combination of the two viruses is putting a strain on healthcare workers and hospitals. "There's no question the combination of a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations, the worst flu season in recent memory and corresponding staff absences are putting health workers and the whole health system under extreme pressure," Ayesha Verrall, Minister for COVID-19 Response, said in a statement (Reuters).

U.S. Government & Politics

Bonus Read: “Schumer-Manchin talks on Dem agenda hit a new hurdle: Covid quarantine,” (Politico).

Citing Covid, Biden to Reel in Handshaking on Middle East Tour

On Wednesday, only hours before Biden kicked off a controversial Middle East tour that includes stops in Israel and Saudi Arabia, the White House stated that he would not be shaking hands, citing Covid risk (Politico). Reports that he might not shake hands emerged a few days prior (JPost). National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reports aboard Air Force One, “We’re in a phase of the pandemic right now where we’re looking to increase masking, reduce contact to minimize spread. That’s the approach we’re taking.” Politico writes, “Biden took the advice to heart. Cameras caught him fist-bumping Israeli leaders waiting for him at Ben-Gurion International Airport, even though the locals initially put out their hands expecting a handshake. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, however, was right behind Biden hugging some of his Israeli counterparts.” However, it adds, “But after offering remarks on the tarmac, Biden shook hands with former Israeli Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Benjamin Netanyahu.” The decision may have particular meaning when it comes to the Saudi leg of the trip. Politico explains, “The new policy was announced at a convenient time. Biden’s team knows the trip’s most damaging image would be one of the president pressing palms with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who the U.S. intelligence community said orchestrated the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist and U.S. resident. The doctor’s sudden order minimizes the risk that such a picture will flash across TV screens in the coming days.”

Bonus Read: “Poll Shows Tight Race for Control of Congress as Class Divide Widens,” (NYT).

U.S. Economy

Inflation Hit 40-Year High in June 

On Wednesday, the Department of Labor released data showing that inflation hit a 40-year high in June (WSJ, Politico, NYT). The Wall Street Journal writes, “The consumer-price index rose 9.1% in the 12 months ended in June, the fastest pace since November 1981, the Labor Department said on Wednesday. The June increase also eclipsed May’s 8.6% rate, which led Federal Reserve officials to shift to a faster pace of benchmark interest-rate increases in its campaign to bring down inflation.” Gas prices played a particularly important role. That has led some to see a glimmer of hope that inflation may subside. Politico writes, “Gas prices, for example, have fallen from the eye-watering $5 a gallon reached in mid-June to an average of $4.66 nationwide as of Tuesday — still far higher than a year ago but a drop that could help slow inflation for July and possibly August.” However, as the New York Times notes, “But gas prices are volatile and could shoot up again.” The recent data may lead the Fed to further raise interest rates in an effort to control inflation. Bonus Reads: “Five charts explaining why inflation is at a 40-year high,” (WaPo); “7 takeaways from a hot inflation number,” (NYT).

Delta Predicts Travel’s Rebound Will Continue After the Summer

On Wednesday, Delta Airlines reported that increased demand for air travel allowed it to turn a profit even as costs rose, and stated that it expects travel demand to remain high even as the summer ends (WSJ). Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian told the Wall Street Journal, “I think that demand is going to continue for some time.” The Journal notes, “Delta on Wednesday reported a profit of $735 million for the three months ended June 30, as it recouped rising fuel costs by charging higher fares, and said it is on track to post further profits in the third quarter and for the year as a whole.”

Analysis & Arguments

Eliza Griswold writes on the children who lost parents to Covid (New Yorker).

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The Brief is edited by David Sterman and Emily Schneider with Senior Editor Peter Bergen.

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