From COVID vaccine mandates to more coronavirus infections on the first day of school, this week proved that the pandemic, driven by the Delta variant, isn’t letting up. Here are six of the biggest COVID stories to hit this week.

CDC Touts COVID Vaccine Safety To Pregnant Women

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended on Wednesday that all pregnant women get the COVID vaccine, citing the safety and effectiveness of the shot.

In new guidelines for the vaccine, the CDC said the COVID shot is recommended for women who are breastfeeding, women trying to get pregnant, and those who might become pregnant in the future.

The CDC also reiterated that there is no increased risk of miscarriage for women who receive the vaccine, citing the increased risk of becoming ill from the Delta variant.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, “It has never been more urgent to increase vaccinations as we face the highly transmittable Delta variant and see severe outcomes of COVID-19 among unvaccinated pregnant people.”

Only 23% of pregnant women have been administered at least one dose of the vaccine to date.

FDA Authorizes Third COVID Shot For Immunocompromised People

On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized a third dose of the COVID vaccine for those individuals that have a weakened immune system.

The additional vaccine dose would apply to people with immunocompromising disorders to receive a booster shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

“Today’s action allows doctors to boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection from COVID-19,” Dr. Janet Woodcock, FDA acting commissioner, said in a statement.

The FDA told CNBC that those that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are “adequately protected” and currently do not need an extra dose.

HHS Mandates Vaccinations For All Workers

The Department of Health and Human Services mandated on Thursday that all 25,000 of the agency’s employees will need to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as cases of the Delta variant continue to increase.

The mandate will apply to all agencies that the Health Services department oversees, including the Indian Health Service, National Institutes of Health, and U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

There will be exemptions made for religious or medical reasons as necessary.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement, “Our number one goal is the health and safety of the American public, including our federal workforce, and vaccines are the best tool we have to protect people from COVID-19, prevent the spread of the Delta variant, and save lives.”

It was unclear if HHS would allow employees to be regularly tested instead of receiving the vaccine.

COVID Vaccine Required For All Military Members

The Pentagon said on Monday that all service members will be required to be fully vaccination against COVID-19 by Sept. 15.

The mandate will affect about 1.4 million people in the armed forces. The Navy has administered at least one COVID dose to 74% of active-duty members, while the Air Force has vaccinated 65% of its active-duty members, and the Army has inoculated half of its members.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that in order to defend the country, "we need a healthy and ready force.”

Failing to get the COVID vaccine may be punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice as it would constitute a failure to obey an order once it is mandated, military officials have said.

27 Infected On Carnival Cruise Ship

A Carnival Cruise Line ship had 26 crewmembers and one passenger test positive for COVID-19 as it arrived in Belize.

The Carnival Vista ship had nearly 100% of its crew vaccinated and 96.5% of passengers vaccinated. The infected persons were reported to be asymptomatic or having very mild symptoms.

Contact tracing was performed with no additional positive cases found on the ship that was carrying 2,895 passengers and 1,441 crewmembers.

The Belize Ministry of Health and Wellness said that other passengers on the ship would be allowed to disembark in Belize and “conduct shore excursions as per normal.”

COVID-Infected Child Sent To School By Parents

A child at the Marce Herz Middle School in Reno, Nevada, was sent to the first day of classes despite testing positive for COVID-19 two days earlier by their parents, potentially exposing more than 80 students.

The student had attended school for two days before it was discovered they had tested positive for the virus, along with their parent, who were not cooperating with the Washoe County Health District, the Reno-Gazette Journal reported.

The health district said in a statement obtained by CNN, “We are not seeking to invest our limited resources in bringing charges against the parent at this time. We are seeking cooperation from our community members.”

The COVID-infected child will quarantine at home and begin distance learning at home, starting on Tuesday, the news outlet said.

Marce Herz Middle School opened for the first day of classes on Monday. It does have a face mask policy for all students, staff, parents, and visitors in all indoor buildings regardless of vaccination status.

The United States began inoculating teens -- like 13-year-old Charles Muro in Connecticut -- with Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine in May 2021, and Moderna is now the second firm to seek a US green light to administer its shot to adolescents
The U.S. began inoculating teens -- like 13-year-old Charles Muro in Connecticut -- with Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine in May 2021, and Moderna is now the second firm to seek a U.S. green light to administer its shot to adolescents. AFP / Joseph Prezioso
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