Overdose Deaths Hit U.S. Record; Asia Cases Soar: Virus Update
Bloomberg
2 hrs ago
Bloomberg News
(Bloomberg) -- U.S. drug overdose deaths soared almost 30% to a record 93,331 in 2020, or an average of 256 a day, in yet another health concern tied to a pandemic that’s killed more than 600,000 Americans.
In Europe, health officials say data supporting the use of vaccine boosters remains thin, and they urged countries in the region to speed up inoculation programs amid the rise of the delta variant. Austria Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said those younger than 35 need to get shots, noting in a statement that this age group accounts for 70% of new infections in the country. Meanwhile, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a backlash from businesses and officials over his decision to make masks optional next week.