Coronavirus vaccine and Delta variant updates for 7-26-2021

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for July 26th, 2021.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff warned that restrictions for unvaccinated people may be necessary if infection numbers reach new heights in the coming months. That has politicians there very divided. The unvaccinated may be banned from restaurants, movie theaters and sports stadiums.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Apparently believing lack of access to them is the problem, the White House is considering sending masks to every American household, according to three people familiar with the talks. It’s not certain what kind, or how many will be sent per residence. Dr. Anthony Fauci said the administration is even weighing whether people should double-mask. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>France's parliament approved a law requiring special virus passes for all restaurants and domestic travel and mandating vaccinations for all health workers. Health workers who refuse risk suspension. To get the pass, people must prove they’re fully vaccinated, recently tested negative, or recently recovered from the virus. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Vietnam has locked down Hanoi for at least 15 days. This bans the gathering of more than two people in public, and only government offices, hospitals and essential businesses are allowed to stay open. The city had already suspended all outdoor activities and ordered non-essential businesses to close. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Usually during the Olympics we’re counting medals. This year we’re counting coronavirus cases. Olympics organizers say 127 people connected to the games have tested positive in the past few weeks. 71 of them are residents of Japan and 56 are non-residents like athletes and the media. 14 athletes have tested positive so far. About 100 of the total 613 U.S. athletes have not yet been vaccinated.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In the United States cases were up 170%, deaths are up 20%, and hospitalizations are up 58% over 14 days. The 7-day average of new cases has been trending up since July 5