Biden says more COVID restrictions are probable

U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday said renewed restrictions due to the surge of COVID-19 are likely.

As he left the White House for a weekend Camp David, the president struck a note of optimism saying the bright spot is that more Americans are getting vaccinated.

Speaking to reporters as he walked to Marine One, Biden was asked if Americans should expect more restrictions amid the spread of the dangerous and highly transmissible Delta varient.

"In all probability," Biden said, but added, "By the way, we had a good day yesterday. Almost  a million people got vaccinated, about half a million of those people for the first time or for their second shot. So I am hopeful that people are beginning to realize how essential it is to move."

The comments follow scientific research released Friday that concluded vaccinated people who got so-called breakthrough infections carried about the same amount of the coronavirus as those who did not get the shots.

The findings were key in this week's decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend that vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the delta variant is fueling infection surges.

The authors said the findings suggest the CDC's mask guidance should be expanded to include the entire country, even outside of hot spots.

IMAGE: AP