The White House COVID-19 Response Team held a briefing to update Americans on the effectiveness of the booster shot against the omicron variant and the free COVID test that is being administered by mail.

U.S. health officials say they are not changing the definition of being “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19.

President Joe Biden is getting ready for his first late-night TV appearance since taking office.

The White House COVID-19 Response Team held a briefing on Tuesday (Aug. 31) and covered a wide range of topics.

The White House COVID-19 Response Team said that there is evidence that vaccines are having an impact. The team said that progress threatens to be outdone by people dropping precautions and rapidly growing interest in travel. The CDC director said that now is not the time to travel but that we are making progress on the vaccine front. As of Monday, nearly 1 in 3 adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 42 percent of seniors are fully vaccinated. That great news is being tempered by increasing cases in several states, including Michigan.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON – Members of the White House COVID-19 response team are holding a news conference Wednesday to discuss ongoing virus outbreaks, their impact and the nation’s response. Related: Experts: Virus surge in Europe a cautionary tale for USIn Michigan, daily new COVID cases have been on the rise in recent weeks. Virus testing has remained steady in recent weeks, but the average positive test rate has risen above 6 percent as of Tuesday. AdAccording to Johns Hopkins University, more than 29.5 million cases have been reported in the U.S., with more than 535,000 deaths reported from the virus. Worldwide, the university reports totals of more than 120.8 million virus cases and more than 2.6 million virus deaths across the globe.

DETROIT – After a delay in allowing people to register for a COVID-19 vaccine at Ford Field, health officials announced Monday afternoon that registration is now open. FEMA chose Ford Field in Detroit as one of 20 regional vaccination sites across the country. AdHow to register for a vaccineTo register for a vaccine at Ford Field, you can go online at clinic.meijer.com/register/CL2021, or text EndCOVID to 75049. Residents who don’t have access to the internet or need assistance can use the MDHHS COVID-19 Hotline to register. Free parking will be available at the vaccination site.

Nationwide, the White House COVID-19 Response Team said that nearly 30 percent of American adults and nearly two-thirds of seniors have received at least their first shot of the vaccine. “We are looking at this data carefully. We’re taking all of those data carefully and revisiting our guidance in that context,” she said. A new CDC report found that 96 percent of people are getting their second dose of vaccine within the recommended time frames. Only 3 percent missed their second dose.

DETROIT – On Monday, the White House COVID-19 Response Team urged Americans not to let their guard down and continue following recommendations to slow the spread of the virus. Those concerns were heightened by worries about the new variants. Even with ongoing efforts to increase vaccine production the demand far outweighs the supply. Scientific models predict the more contagious United Kingdom variant will become the dominant virus in the United States by the end of March. “We anticipate that we are probably going to be sequencing up to three to four more than we are already sequencing.

DETROIT – Members of the White House COVID-19 Response Team said that President Joe Biden’s goal of administering 100 million vaccines doses in 100 days is on track for success. Nationally, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are continuing to decrease. There is also great concern that a new, more contagious variants of the virus could reverse that downward trend. The CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, warned that too many people are giving the new variants an easy path to spread. “Based on contact tracing and review of recent variant cases -- not wearing masks and participating in in-person social gatherings have contributed to the variance spread,” Walensky said.

The Biden administration’s new “COVID-19 Response Team” held its first briefing ever on Tuesday. Walensky warned that 89,000 more Americans could die due to COVID-19 in the next four weeks. Whitmer seeks common ground, virus relief in State of State“The White House respects and will follow the science, and that the science will speak independently and that our core values of science, public health and equity are going to drive our actions here at the White House,” said Andy Slavitt, senior adviser to White House COVID-19 Response Team. However, it will be months before everyone who wants a vaccine in the U.S. can get one. “I want you to know we’re taking this issue on with incredible urgency and purpose,” Slavitt said.