The Delta variant – the most dominant strain in the world – is driving a recent spike in deaths of Americans.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cases are up 70% and deaths are up 26% over the last week.

Director Rochelle Walensky says most of the surge is happening in counties with below average vaccination rates.

”This is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” she adds.

Four states account for 40% of the rise in cases with Florida alone accounting for one-in-five new national cases in the past week.

Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana and Nevada have also been cited as states that have seen significant increases in infections.

The CDC says 65% of eligible Americans over 12 have received at least one shots, with 57% fully immunized but that it varies across the U.S.