US health officials battle two fronts of surging monkeypox, COVID-19 cases

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U.S. health officials are battling rising concerns and case counts on two fronts. Monkeypox is spreading rapidly across most states, while hospitals are filling up once again thanks to a new COVID variant.

In the middle of summer when infections of COVID-19 are usually low, new variant B.A. 5 is sweeping across America. The number of new infections is skyrocketing, with cases shooting up nearly 40 per cent in Boston and an indoor mask mandate for summer school taking effect Monday in San Diego. Doctors warn there is little protection against this new strain.

While federal health officials deal with this latest COVID-19 wave, surging cases of monkeypox have left patients desperate for vaccines waiting in long lines from San Francisco to New York. Global News' Jennifer Johnson reports from Washington.