Coronavirus live updates: Santa Cruz Co. reports first COVID-related deaths in 2 months

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A surge in coronavirus cases has been reported in the Bay Area and across California as well as the country due in part to the emergence of the highly-contagious delta variant. California health officials are highly recommending that both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents wear masks indoors to prevent the spread of the virus.

The latest number of confirmed cases in the U.S. can be found at the CDC's 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the U.S. page. (The CDC updates the webpage on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.)

Join anchor Kristen Sze for ABC7's daily, interactive newscast about the coronavirus outbreak in the Bay Area and around the world. You can check here to stream the show Monday-Friday at 3 p.m.

• MAPS: Check out the latest maps of COVID-19 cases, deaths in the US, world


• CORONAVIRUS IN CA: Get resources and information about COVID-19


• LATEST LOCAL CASES: Updated number of COVID-19 cases, deaths in San Francisco Bay Area

Here are the latest developments on the respiratory illness in the U.S.:

7 p.m.
Santa Cruz Co. reports first COVID-related deaths in 2 months
Santa Cruz County health officials announced Monday that two residents have died due to COVID-19 complications, the county's first COVID-related deaths in more than two months.

The two residents were both unvaccinated, in their 70s and had contracted the ultra-contagious delta variant of the virus. According to the county, both victims died in a local hospital on Aug. 2.

The county has now confirmed 209 COVID-related deaths since the pandemic began.

10:55 a.m.
Pentagon to require COVID vaccine for all troops by Sept. 15
The Pentagon will require members of the U.S. military to get the COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 15, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press. That deadline could be pushed up if the vaccine receives final FDA approval or infection rates continue to rise.

7:25 a.m.
More warehouse workers to be required to wear masks
Today, more warehouse workers will be required to wear masks. Tesla is requiring employees at its battery factory near Reno to cover their faces, regardless of vaccination status. The same goes for 900,000 Amazon warehouse employees.
Both policies go into effect today. This is in response to rising COVID cases and concerns about the delta variant.

A total of 21,572, 282 Californians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the latest state data. The state, on average, is administering 72,412 doses per day, which is an increase from yesterday of about 500. More than three million Californians are partially vaccinated.

Oakland public schools will begin in-person classes on Monday and will not require teachers and staff to be vaccinated. The district says it will take its cues from the county and state. Alameda County supports vaccine choice. But, Mayor Libby Schaaf says she stands behind a mandate for all public employees and teachers. She says those who are not vaccinated should submit to weekly COVID testing.