President Joe Biden is toughening COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federal employees.

He took that step as an effort to boost the process of vaccination and halt the spread of the delta variant, which is killing thousands of people each week and threatening the economy of country.

That’s according to a source familiar with the plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Biden has signed a new executive order requiring vaccination of executive branch’s employees and contractors in order to do business with the federal government.

The move comes ahead of a speech on Thursday afternoon in which he will outline a six-point plan to address the recent spike in coronavirus cases and the slow pace of COVID-19 vaccinations.

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto of Florida tested positive for COVID-19

Rep. Darren Soto of Florida stated on Wednesday that he just tested positive for COVID-19, but he had only experienced minor symptoms because he was fully vaccinated.

Soto, a Democrat from the Orlando area, tweeted that he had received monoclonal antibody treatment to alleviate potential symptoms.

“This treatment is helpful but not a substitute for the COVID-19 vaccine. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” he said.

Darren Soto stated that he was working from home and was self-isolating.

The Florida Hospital Association reported on Wednesday that 19 hospitalizations throughout the state have decreased by more than 20% in the last two weeks.

Increased vaccinations and the availability of monoclonal antibody treatments for Floridians who test positive must be credited, according to Mary Mayhew, the association’s president and CEO. Florida recorded 13,100 confirmed  cases of COVID-19.

According to Mayhew, the number of hospitalizations in Florida could decline below last year’s peak in the following weeks.