Sunday shows preview: As delta variant spreads, US leaders raise concerns

A new variant of the coronavirus’s spread in the U.S. and vaccine hesitancy in some states is expected to dominate Sunday talk shows this weekend. 

The delta variant of the coronavirus, which was originally found in India, has now been found in about 86 countries, including the United States.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the variant counts for about 25 percent of all current coronavirus infections in the country.

Late last month, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, said the variant is the “greatest threat in the U.S. to our attempt to eliminate COVID-19.” However, he he added that the three vaccines currently in use are effective against it. 

Pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson announced Thursday that preliminary data showed their one-shot vaccination was effective in combatting the coronavirus. 

The company said in a statement that its vaccine demonstrated a “strong, persistent activity against the rapidly spreading Delta variant and other highly prevalent SARS-CoV-2 viral variants.”

Fauci will appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” this Sunday. 

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R), urged his residents to get vaccinated last month as coronavirus cases rise across the state.

“The overwhelming majority of COVID patients in the hospital have not been vaccinated. These vaccines are effective, but we need more Arkansans to get the shot,” he said.

Hutchinson will appear on CNN’s “State of the Union” this weekend. 

The White House said Thursday that it is preparing COVID-19 “surge teams” to work with local public health authorities to help combat the rapidly spreading delta variant, including contact tracing and distributing supplies as needed or requested.

White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said the administration is also increasing advertisements about the benefits of vaccinations in these communities.

Zients will appear on “State of the Union, “ABC’s “This Week,” and CBS’s “Face the Nation.” 

In addition, rescue efforts continue in an effort to recover bodies more than a week after the Champlain Towers South residential building in Surfside, Fla., collapsed. 

President Biden visited Surfside, Fla. on Thursday, where he said the federal government would pick up 100 percent of the costs associated with rescue efforts for the county and state. 

The death toll stood at 24 as of Saturday afternoon, with 188 people accounted for and 124 unaccounted for.

Authorities said Saturday that they would move forward with demolishing the rest of the building within 36 hours amid concerns about impending Tropical Storm Elsa.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett will appear on “Face the Nation.”

Below is a full list of guests who will appear on this week’s Sunday talk shows

ABC’s “This Week” — Army Gen. Scott Miller, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan; White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients; Gov. Jim Justice, R-W.Va.

NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

CBS’s “Face the Nation” — Zients; Mayor Charles Burkett of Surfside, Florida; Govs. Kate Brown, D-Ore., and Spencer Cox, R-Utah; Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind.

CNN’s “State of the Union” — Zients; Gov. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark.; Reps. James Clyburn, D-S.C., and Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn.; Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

“Fox News Sunday” — Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas; Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

FOX News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures” — Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) – Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Mark Brnovich, Arizona Attorney General; Dan Hoffman, Former CIA Station Chief, FOX News Contributor; Gordon Chang, Gatestone Institution Senior Fellow