By Theodore Bunker From Newsmax

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday released data that shows unvaccinated people are six times more likely to test positive for COVID-19, and more than 11 times more likely to die from the virus.

“Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 reduces the risk of getting COVID-19 and helps protect you from severe illness even if you do get COVID-19,” the agency notes on its website, adding that the “CDC continues to monitor how well the vaccines are working. So far, studies show that COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of COVID-19, especially severe illness, among people who are fully vaccinated.”

According to CDC data, about 189 million people in the U.S. are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and another 10.5 million have received a booster dose, while over 218 billion have received at least one dose.

Although COVID-19 cases have declined in much of the country, the upcoming winter season could see a spike in case reports. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, told The New York Times that winter is “coming at a very bad time for us here in Michigan,” which recently saw an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

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