President Biden said Sunday the U.S. has put the darkest days of the pandemic behind it, even as he warned of the threat of new coronavirus variants. Biden spoke from the White House in a Fourth of July celebration, after his administration came up just short of its goal of administering at least one vaccine dose to 70% of U.S. adults.

President Joe Biden: “We all know powerful variants have emerged, like the Delta variant. But the best defense against these variants is to get vaccinated. My fellow Americans, it’s the most patriotic thing you can do.”

U.S. cases have fallen to their lowest levels since early 2020 but are rising in areas with lower vaccination rates — led by outbreaks in Missouri and Arkansas.