Coronavirus Watch: CDC considering revising mask mandate, Fauci says

Dr. Anthony Fauci says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering revising its guidelines to recommend that even fully vaccinated individuals wear masks in public.

Fauci told CNN’s “State of the Union” that he’s taken part in conversations about altering the guidelines, something he described as being “under active consideration.” 

In the last two weeks, COVID-19 cases have increased 171% nationally, fueled by the delta variant. The death rate is up 19% over the week before.

It's Monday, and this is the Coronavirus Watch from the USA TODAY Network. Here's the news you need to know today:

• Americans are quitting jobs in record numbers: Many are changing jobs because of pandemic burnout or they're finally starting job searches that they put off during the health crisis, according to a survey by Joblist for USA TODAY. 
• New York City will require teachers, police officers and the rest of the 340,000 city employees to get coronavirus vaccines by mid-September or face weekly coronavirus testing, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday.
• Humans are not the only ones catching COVID-19: An unvaccinated snow leopard at the San Diego Zoo has contracted the coronavirus. 
• Calls for mandatory vaccinations: More than 50 major American health care and medical organizations called for employers of health and long-term care workers to mandate COVID-19 vaccines, saying it's "the logical fulfillment of the ethical commitment" of workers to put the needs of patients first.
• Tokyo Olympic organizers announced 16 new positive cases on Monday among people connected to the Games, bringing the total to more than 150.

Today's numbers: The U.S. has had more than 34.5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 610,900 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: More than 194.4 million cases and 4.2 million deaths. More than 163 million Americans – 49.1% of the population – have been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

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