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Breakthrough COVID cases among the fully vaccinated are real. Here’s the latest

A CDC report provides evidence that the delta variant is transmissible in vaccinated people who get infected. But that’s not a reason to question vaccines, experts say.
For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites.

COVID-19 infections are surging throughout the US again (more than 95,000 new cases on Thursday) due to the highly contagious delta variant, with outbreaks particularly impacting areas with low vaccination rates. This week, a new study released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the delta infection has similarly high viral loads in vaccinated and unvaccinated people. So what does that mean as more of these breakthrough cases are happening?

Currently, 164 million people in the US have been fully vaccinated, nearly half the country’s total population. The CDC’s research suggesting that vaccinated people infected with delta can also easily transmit the virus was the key factor motivating the new federal guidance that fully vaccinated individuals continue to wear masks indoors. At the same time, the CDC report underlines that the number of cases and deaths among fully vaccinated people is very small compared with the number among the unvaccinated.

Should you be concerned about getting COVID-19 if you’ve been inoculated? Since there’s more community spread and there are more breakthrough cases despite vaccination, new data suggests yes. We’ll explain what a breakthrough coronavirus infection is, how it’s possible for fully vaccinated people to become infected and what it all means. This information comes from the CDC, the World Health Organization and other experts.

What’s a breakthrough COVID-19 infection?

A breakthrough COVID-19 infection is when a fully vaccinated person becomes infected with the coronavirus without any symptoms, experiences symptoms, is hospitalized or dies from the infection. A small percentage of fully vaccinated people can get COVID-19 if exposed to the virus, but they’re much less likely to become sick, according to the CDC.

If someone’s fully vaccinated and does test positive for coronavirus, it’s likely they’ll have milder symptoms (see below) or be asymptomatic, Dr. Clare Rock, a Johns Hopkins medical professor, told me.

Now that it’s been found that fully vaccinated people can be infected with high viral amounts of the delta variant, the CDC is concerned they can transmit the virus. If you do become ill, experts urge you to isolate yourself to prevent others from getting sick, especially people with medical vulnerabilities.

How can fully vaccinated people become infected with coronavirus?

Someone can become infected with COVID-19 just before or right after they get the vaccination, because it takes roughly two weeks before the vaccine is most effective. However, even after the immunity builds up, there’s still a chance they can become infected, according to the WHO, since the vaccines aren’t silver bullets against disease (though they’re highly effective).

With millions of unvaccinated people around the world, new variants will emerge, Rock says. For example, the delta variant can pose a threat to people who are fully vaccinated — especially those who have high-risk medical conditions (see the next section).

Are COVID-19 symptoms still severe if you’ve been fully vaccinated?

Someone who’s fully vaccinated has a much smaller risk of experiencing severe symptoms from COVID-19. People who’ve received all their doses of a vaccine are less likely to be hospitalized or die than those who haven’t been vaccinated, the CDC says. Vaccinated people typically see symptoms like a runny nose, which they mistake for a sign of a common cold, Rock said.

But that’s not to say serious cases can’t happen. The CDC says some fully vaccinated people can still be hospitalized and die. This can include people who have medical conditions that make them immunocompromised, Rock said, including those with cancer and people who’ve had organ transplants — in general, people who are more vulnerable.

How can you stay protected from breakthrough infections?

If you’re fully vaccinated but worried about getting sick, you can take the following precautions.

  • Wear a mask in public places.
  • Practice social distancing.
  • Keep your home well-ventilated by opening windows.
  • Wash your hands.
  • Get a COVID-19 test if you’re experiencing symptoms.

Will fully vaccinated people need booster shots in the future?

At this time, there’s not a clear answer. Though some people say a booster shot may be necessary down the line, the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration don’t agree with that, at least not yet. Scientists are continuing to study the immunity of fully vaccinated people to get a better idea of how well the vaccines protect them.

Moderna is currently researching if and when a booster shot may be necessary. For instance, vulnerable people who don’t have a robust immune system, such as those with serious medical conditions, may need an additional shot, Rock said.

Pfizer says it’s working on a booster shot for its COVID-19 vaccine (PDF) to enhance immunity for those who’ve already received both doses. The UK is also prepping for booster shots, with vaccine experts in Britain saying a booster shot may be needed before winter.

Which variants are the cause of the breakthrough infections?

The variant causing the most concern right now is the delta variant, which is now the dominant strain in the US and other countries. This variant has caused an increase in COVID-19 cases, which is also affecting people who are fully vaccinated.

In comparison with the alpha variant, researchers have found delta to be 60% more transmissible, and hospitalization risks are much higher in unvaccinated people.

In most instances, the cases are happening in areas with low vaccination rates. For instance, US states like Louisiana and Florida have low vaccination rates and their COVID-19 cases are surging again.

What are experts saying about the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19?

The breakthrough infections don’t mean the vaccines aren’t powerful.

«The effectiveness against severe disease is still substantial,» Dr. Anthony Fauci said during a White House press briefing July 22. «Get vaccinated. It offers good protection against disease.»

For more information, here’s everything to know about the delta variant. Also, here are more details about a potential COVID-19 booster shot, and here’s info on the debate over whether fully vaccinated people should wear masks.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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Technologies

Drag x Drive Proves the Switch 2’s Mouse Mode Controls Are Fantastic

Nintendo has done it again with a great new way to play games on its just-launched console.

Nintendo’s next summer title — and one of the few new games for the Switch 2 soon after its June launch — is the multiplayer wheelchair basketball game, Drag x Drive. It uses the console’s new Joy-Con mouse controls to simulate moving the wheels of your chair (or vehicle, as it’s referred to in-game) while playing short three-on-three matches. While it does take some getting used to, it shows off how well this new input mode works and harkens back to an era of motion-controlled gaming made popular on Nintendo’s Wii. 

Playing Drag x Drive is unique, reflecting the Switch 2 new tech. You detach each Joy-Con 2 controller from the system, place the sensors face down on a surface (which can range from a table to even your legs), and slide the controllers forward and backward to move the wheels respectively. I actually found it more comfortable on my wrists to use the controllers positioned a little wider on my thighs instead of straight up and down on a table. 

Learning to play has a steep curve, and I found my shoulders getting tired quickly as the game kept reminding me that longer strokes would move my character faster on the court. For anyone who experienced Tennis Elbow back when WiiSports came out, Drag x Drive’s bodily wear-and-tear will be familiar. 

The mouse’s controls are good — better than I expected, in fact. They feel snappy, and I was able to pull off some higher-level maneuvers when I got used to it. And as you move, you can feel a subtle vibration in each hand to help you dial in how much force you’re inputting. Moving the controllers at different speeds will adjust the turning radius. Braking (by pressing the R or L buttons) can be done independently of each wheel to further your control. There are even tricks you can pull off by using breaking and lifting the controllers in specific combinations, which the game points out will help you perform more advanced blocks and interceptions. 

Controls are the big novelty of Drag x Drive and take time to get used to, though the court and game modes offer their own unique challenges. 

Read more: I Played Donkey Kong Bananza. It’s the Switch 2’s Killer Ape

Moderately deep mechanics for a $20 game

The primary mode is a 3-minute three-on-three game that’s reminiscent of Rocket League (without the jetpacks). There’s an indicator always pointing toward the oversized ball. Rolling into it will pick it up. If you’re going fast enough (represented by a flashing light on your back) and crashing into someone head-on will knock it loose. And if you raise one of the joy-cons off the surface, you will lift the ball, flicking your wrist will make a shot. 

Since the court is kind of a skateboard-style bowl, you can even roll up into the air from the sides and shoot or dunk from above. These trick shots will award players with more granular points, for example, an aerial shot might award you 2.3 instead of the standard two you’d see in typical basketball. But you can still land a three-pointer from outside the boundary, but you’ll have to be lined up real well while the other five players aren’t slamming into you.

Defense also works just like you’d expect, with positioning playing the most important role. Pressing the R and L buttons together will pass the ball to a teammate. If an opponent is in the way, they can intercept. This is key since I witnessed many teams pass a ball way down the court to an isolated player while we tried to race after them to stop the shot. Like every sport, you’ll want to spread out and cover someone instead of clumping all together around the ball, like most new players often do.

While Drag x Drive curiously doesn’t refer to anything as a wheelchair (or even highlight the awesome and inclusive sport of wheelchair basketball), it’s really wonderful to see this representation. The characters can also be swapped out for one of three unit types: defense, forward or guard, all with different speed and power stats. From there, you can customise your character’s outfit and gear, with more to unlock as you play. 

Outside of the online play, there are also nine different bot difficulties you can take on, so the game is playable in single player. There are also several minigames stationed around the hub area. These include a timed race and a rebound mode where you need to chase after a bouncing ball in the hub before time runs out. They’re pretty short and not all that interesting, but they will reward you with medals to unlock gear. There are also some obstacles positioned around to play with. One example is a giant jump rope that you can bunny hop over. 

There isn’t a typical career or story campaign to work through — the main draw is the one core multiplayer mode. Considering the low $20 entry price, I wouldn’t expect anything super in-depth, making this more of a unique application of the Switch 2 Joy-Cons’ mouse mode than a long-lasting play experience. 

Drag x Drive is a shallow experience, but the skill ceiling has a lot of potential. Its low entry price makes it an easy recommendation, even if you’re just interested in trying out the new mouse controls that the Switch 2 offers. If Nintendo chooses to support the game with more content in the future, I would love to see limited-time events and more game modes get added, building on the bones of one of the most unique sports games to come out in years. 

Drag x Drive comes out on Switch 2 on Thursday. 

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Bag the Premium Sonos Ace ANC Headphones for Just $299 in Your Choice of Color

Save $100 on a new pair of high-end ANC headphones while you still can.

It might have taken longer than anyone expected, but Sonos’ entry into the premium ANC headphone market soon made waves. The Sonos Ace headphones come with everything that we expect in 2025, including a hefty price tag.

But, thankfully, most retailers are now offering a solid discount that slashes the price to just $399. That price means that you’re saving $100 off the usual asking price without the need to do anything special — no coupons and no codes are needed. You can also choose between the black and white models when ordering, but we don’t know how long this new price will last. Consider placing your order soon, before it’s too late.

CNET’s headphones expert David Carnoy liked the Sonos Ace a lot, remarking that «overall, they deliver a more premium listening experience, as well as better noise-canceling and voice-calling performance» than many other options at this premium price range, but did state that the price tag itself was an issue. They’re comfortable, have strong spatial audio and they look good to boot. 

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

These headphones boast support for lossless audio via Bluetooth and their USB-C port, while plush memory foam ear pads ensure a comfortable fit all day long. You’ll also get up to 30 hours of battery life even with ANC enabled, while just three minutes on the charger gets you up to three hours of playback.

The newness of the Sonos Ace headphones and the rarity of Sonos deals make this one of the best headphone deals right now, especially if you like having the latest devices. 

HEADPHONE DEALS OF THE WEEK

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

The Sonos Ace headphones are currently available at a significant discount. You can save $100 on these if you’re quick. This is very nearly the lowest price we’ve seen, so we recommend ordering your new headphones sooner rather than later.

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Technologies

Today’s Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for Aug. 13, #1516: Did You Know This Word?

Here are hints and the answer for today’s super-difficult Wordle for Aug. 13, No. 1,516

Looking for the most recent Wordle answer? Click here for today’s Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Wordle puzzle is a pretty tough one. It describes a drink that most Americans have probably never tried before, and the letters aren’t super common, either. If you need a new starter word, check out our list of which letters show up the most in English words. If you need hints and the answer, read on.

Today’s Wordle hints

Before we show you today’s Wordle answer, we’ll give you some hints. If you don’t want a spoiler, look away now.

Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats

Today’s Wordle answer has no repeated letters.

Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels

Today’s Wordle answer has two vowels.

Wordle hint No. 3: Start letter.

Today’s Wordle answer begins with K.

Wordle hint No. 4:Drink up

Today’s Wordle refers to a beverage.

Wordle hint No. 5: Meaning

Today’s Wordle answer refers to a fermented milk drink with a sour taste, which originates from the Caucasus Mountains.

TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER

Today’s Wordle answer is KEFIR.

Yesterday’s Wordle answer

Yesterday’s Wordle answer, Aug. 12, No. 1515 was NOMAD.

Recent Wordle answers

Aug. 8, No. 1511: IMBUE

Aug. 9, No. 1512: NASAL

Aug. 10, No. 1513: MINTY

Aug. 11, No. 1514: SOUTH

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

Don’t be afraid to use our tip sheet ranking all the letters in the alphabet by frequency of uses. In short, you want starter words that lean heavy on E, A and R, and don’t contain Z, J and Q. 

Some solid starter words to try:

ADIEU

TRAIN

CLOSE

STARE

NOISE

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