As coronavirus cases also continue to rise here in the U.S., the highly transmissible Delta variant now accounts for over 80% of new infections in the country. COVID-19 deaths also increased by nearly 50% over the past week. Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi have recorded some of the highest recent surges in cases. This comes as millions of surplus vaccine doses are set to expire and likely go to waste. State health officials have repeatedly asked the federal government to donate the unused doses to other countries experiencing vaccine shortages, but those requests have been rejected.