Coronavirus Updates:Doctors call summer surge pandemic of the unvaccinated

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The coronavirus is making an unwanted summer surge, as U.S. daily cases have tripled in the last month to more than 35,000 per day.

Doctors say this is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated, words echoed by President Biden.

"We have a pandemic for those who haven't gotten a vaccination," he said.

Although rare, there have been new reports of deaths from breakthrough infections, which is when fully vaccinated people get the virus.

"We think probably people who are much older and people who may have immune problems, so they're on medicines to weaken their immune system may be at higher risk," former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said.

There's also growing concern about unvaccinated children with more than 23,000 new pediatric cases in the last week, nearly double the number reported at the end of June.

Here are more of today's headlines:

Sleepaway camp in New York says 31 campers under 12 tested positive for COVID

A co-ed sleepaway camp in New York said that 31 campers between 7 and 11 years old have tested positive for Covid-19 -- but none of their vaccinated 12-and-up campers did.

Camp Pontiac, located in Copake, NY, about a two-hour drive from New York City, said in a letter to parents the first positive test result was received on July 16. The virus then spread further.

Giants place first-round draft pick on COVID list

Wide receiver Kadarius Toney, the Giants' first selection in the 2021 NFL draft, has been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Giants' rookies reported yesterday for training camp. Toney is following the NFL protocols by isolating and participating in meetings remotely.

NFL teams with COVID-19 outbreaks face forfeits, withheld pay

NFL teams have been warned they could forfeit a game due to a COVID-19 outbreak among non-vaccinated players, and players on both teams wouldn't get paid that week.

"As we learned last year, we can play a full season if we maintain a firm commitment to adhering to our health and safety protocols and to making needed adjustments in response to changing conditions," Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday in a memo sent to clubs that was obtained by The Associated Press.

Union protests New York-Presbyterian's COVID vaccine mandate for staff

The largest healthcare union in the United States held a rally on Thursday, protesting one of the biggest hospital group's policy of COVID vaccination or termination. The demonstrators said the shouldn't be required to be vaccinated in order to keep their jobs. New York-Presbyterian Health System announced the new mandate last month in a company-wide message to its 48,000 employees in which workers were told they must receive at least one shot by September 1.

"We believe that our members are best equipped to make the healthcare decisions that are right for their bodies and for their families," 1199SEIU Communications Director Cara Noel said. "We have been promoting vaccination, but to make vaccination a condition of employment is absolutely wrong."

COVID-positive man disguises as wife on Indonesian flight

An Indonesian man with the coronavirus has boarded a domestic flight disguised as his wife, wearing a niqab covering his face and carrying fake IDs and a negative PCR test result. But the cover didn't last long. Police say a flight attendant aboard a Citilink plane traveling from Jakarta to Ternate in North Maluku province on Sunday noticed the man change the clothes in the lavatory.

"He bought the plane ticket with his wife's name and brought the identity card, the PCR test result and the vaccination card with his wife's name. All documents are under his wife's name," Ternate police chief Aditya Laksimada said after arresting the man upon landing. He was only identified by his initials.

More vaccine sites close in NYC; CDC panel to meet

The demand for vaccines continues to wither in New York City and around the country. You can no longer get your vaccine under the big blue whale at the American Museum of National History. Walk-ins are still accepted and encouraged, and anyone who gets vaccinated can still visit the blue whale following their inoculation. A dedicated viewing area has been established for the newly vaccinated on the mezzanine level of the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. You can also get vaccinated at a number of state-run and city-run vaccination sites.

NYC Homecoming Week concerts: Dates and locations announced

NYC's Homecoming Week celebration will feature five concerts, one in each borough, beginning Monday, August 16, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday. The mayor said the city can hosts events like Homecoming Week because 70% of NYC adults have received at least one vaccine shot. But "we've got more to do with younger New Yorkers," the mayor said, ahead of the school reopening in September.

Radio City Rockettes return for Christmas Spectacular

One of the most beloved holiday traditions in New York City returns this fall. The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes will have performances from November 5 to January 2. The iconic show has been seen by more than 69 million people since it debuted in 1933. The Christmas Spectacular canceled its shows last year due to the pandemic. It marked the first time in 87 years the production was canceled.

"The Christmas Spectacular IS the holiday season in New York for so many families - and we couldn't be more excited to welcome them back to Radio City Music Hall this November," said James Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO of MSG Entertainment. "After a year none of us will ever forget, we all need a little joy - and there's nothing like the Rockettes and the Christmas Spectacular to get us into the holiday spirit and make the season unforgettable."

'I'm sorry, but it's too late': Alabama doctor says dying COVID patients beg for vaccine

An Alabama doctor is urging COVID-19 doubters to get inoculated by sharing her experience treating dying patients who wish they'd gotten vaccinated.

"I'm admitting young healthy people to the hospital with very serious COVID infections. One of the last things they do before they're intubated is beg me for the vaccine. I hold their hand and tell them that I'm sorry, but it's too late," Dr. Brytney Cobia wrote in a Facebook post Sunday. "A few days later when I call time of death, I hug their family members and I tell them the best way to honor their loved one is to go get vaccinated and encourage everyone they know to do the same."

Northeast Florida hospitals returning to COVID-19 peak amid delta variant surge

Hospital officials in Northeast Florida are urging people to get vaccinated as the number of COVID-19 patients is approaching or exceeding levels they saw during the worst of the pandemic amid "rampant" spread of the more transmissible delta variant of the coronavirus. UF Health Jacksonville, in Florida's most populous city, has seen an "exponential" rise in the number of COVID-19 patients admitted in recent weeks, Chad Neilsen, director of infection prevention at the hospital, told ABC News. The previous record for the highest number of daily COVID-19 patients across its two campuses -- 125 -- was set in January; the hospital surpassed that three days ago, Neilsen said, and is currently at 136, with about 40 people in the intensive care unit.

NYC vaccination rates by zip code

There are about a dozen communities in the New York City area where three out of four people have not been vaccinated yet. 7 On Your Side Investigates created a map where the darkest colored zip codes have the most vaccinated New Yorkers and the lightest, the least.

New York City COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus

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