COVID-19 live updates: 96% of NYC public school teachers now vaccinated, mayor says

(NEW YORK) — The United States has been facing a COVID-19 surge as the more contagious delta variant continues to spread.

More than 701,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 while over 4.8 million people have died from the disease worldwide, according to real-time data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

Just 65.4% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the CDC.

Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:

Oct 04, 10:24 am
NYC public school employees must now be vaccinated

All New York City public school employees must now be vaccinated or risk losing their jobs.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that 95% of full-time employees are now vaccinated, including 96% of teachers and 99% of principals.

“It clearly works,” the mayor said of the mandate, which went into effect at 5 p.m. Friday.

Schools Chancellor Misha Porter said 18,000 new shots were given out since Friday. She said unvaccinated employees can still get their shots and return to work.

Protesting teachers will march across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall for a rally Monday afternoon.