The Latest:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has seen its highest number of weekly cases of the coronavirus in seven months, fueled by the more contagious delta variant.

The 5,333 new positive cases reported statewide for the six-day period ending Saturday were the highest since more than 5,900 cases were reported for the seven-day week ending Jan. 17. Figures for Sunday will be released on Monday.

The number of deaths from COVID-19, the illness that can be caused by the coronavirus, grew for the second straight week. There have been at least 3,064 virus deaths statewide since the start of the pandemic.

___

MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

__ Louisiana hospitals are packed with COVID-19 patients, fear the arrival of Hurricane Ida

— Croatia thrilled at summer tourism season success despite COVID-19

— Russia’s virus-related deaths hit record of over 50,000 in July

— Once a beacon of safety, Hawaii is seeing a surge of coronavirus cases driven by delta variant

— U.S. intelligence agencies remain divided on the origins of the coronavirus

— U.S. battle over masks in schools has shifted from school boards to courts

___

— Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

___

HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

HONOLULU -- Hawaii has reported nearly 1,700 new COVID-19 cases, which is the state’s highest level for the pandemic, though officials note that the count includes a backlog from one lab.

The Hawaii Department of Health reported 1,678 cases Sunday, while noting that it included a partial catch-up of reporting after one lab...