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New cases of Covid-19 are once again on the rise across more than half of the United States as officials race to vaccinate additional people before highly contagious variants become prevalent in the country. As of Sunday, the seven-day average of new cases rose by 5% or more in 27 states, according to a CNBC analysis of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Across the U.S., the nation logged an average of 54,308 new cases per day over the past week — a 1% rise from the prior week after months of rapidly declining case numbers, according to the data. (Feuer, 3/22)

"We just do not want have a rapid uptick in cases; we are behind the 8 ball when that happens," said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, today during a White House briefing, as she urged Americans to remain vigilant against COVID-19 and avoid unnecessary travel in the coming weeks. The message came after a weekend of spring break revelry resulted in officials in Miami Beach declaring a state of emergency in response to a surge of maskless visitors, NPR reports. The city's mayor suspended outdoor dining after 7 pm and banned strolling on Ocean Drive after 8 pm. (Soucheray, 3/22)

Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said Monday she's concerned the U.S. could experience "another avoidable surge" in coronavirus infections due to new variants, if people don't follow mitigation measures like mask-wearing and social distancing. A growing number of states have moved to reopen despite the spread of new variants. States are increasingly attributing their coronavirus cases to variants, Walensky noted. (Chen, 3/22)

And high levels of infection now could also mean problems for vaccines later on, one expert told CNN on Monday. "Not only does uncontrolled spread cause avoidable illness, hospitalization and death, but it increases the risk that an even more dangerous variant may emerge that could make the vaccine less effective," said Dr. Tom Frieden, the former CDC director. (Maxouris, 3/23)

Variant coronavirus strains first identified in California in the latter half of 2020 have now surfaced in North Dakota, where state officials also have confirmed more cases of the variant first detected in the United Kingdom last fall. There are two cases of each of the two new California strains in North Dakota -- four total cases -- along with seven confirmed cases of the U.K. strain, Kirby Kruger, disease control director for the Health Department, told the Tribune on Wednesday. All 11 people have recovered, he said. Their names and cities of residence haven't been released due to medical privacy reasons. (Nicholson, 3/17)

As more U.S. residents receive their COVID-19 vaccinations, testing for the virus has plummeted, dropping by a third in two months. This is a positive development wrapped in a potentially worrisome one, public health experts say. They say the decline reflects diminishing COVID-19 caseloads and suggests fewer Americans are fearful that they have contracted or been exposed to the virus. That relief leaves people less inclined to get tested. (Ollove, 3/22)

DoorDash has launched a new initiative to provide same-day on-demand delivery of FDA authorized COVID-19 test collection kits, it announced in a statement Monday. The initiative could go a long way in helping make at-home COVID-19 testing more accessible, as many Americans prepare to reenter workplaces and schools. (Saric, 3/22)

Don't even think about heading to Denton's Legends Diner if you're not planning to wear a mask. The fee is $50 if "we have to explain why a mask is mandatory," Legends Diner owner Wayne LaCombe told Chron. Posted right outside LaCombe's restaurant is a bright pink sign with the rules: "Our new surcharge: $50 if I have to explain why masks are mandatory; $75 if I have to hear why you disagree." (Medley, 3/19)