Average daily COVID-19 deaths highest since early March

The average number of daily COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has increased to its highest level since early March, as the highly contagious delta variant infects individuals nationwide.

The U.S. is seeing an average of more than 1,900 COVID-19 deaths a day, according to data from Johns Hopkins University cited by The Associated Press.

The average number of deaths has risen 40 percent over the past two weeks, the AP noted, increasing from 1,387 to 1,947.

The increased statistics come as the delta variant spreads throughout the U.S., posing a threat to communities nationwide — especially pockets of the country that are largely unvaccinated.

Most of the recent COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have been among unvaccinated individuals, bolstering evidence that the shots are effective in protecting against serious illness.