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Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/09/us-covid-19-cases-drop-first-time-3-months
US COVID-19 cases drop for first time in 3 months
Filed Under:
COVID-19
Stephanie Soucheray | News Reporter | CIDRAP News
| Sep 27, 2021
The summer surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the Delta (B1617.2) variant may be tapering off after causing the fourth wave of heightened pandemic activity in the United States.
The 7-day average of new daily COVID-19 cases is 118,015, with 1,996 deaths, according to the Washington Post tracker. In the past week, new daily cases fell 20%, deaths fell 0.8%, and hospitalizations fell 8.9%.
According to NBC News, the drop in COVID-19 cases over the last week is the longest sustained decline in cases in nearly 3 months. NBC said the fourth wave likely peaked on Sep 13, when the 7-day average of cases at 166,807.
Though new case counts and hospitalizations seems to be declining, experts warned the peak deaths caused by this wave are still likely 2 to 4 weeks away, as has been seen throughout the pandemic.
Yesterday, the country recorded 119,886 cases, including 2,034 deaths, according to the New York Times. In total, the United States has recorded 43,021,678 cases since the pandemic began, including 689,031 deaths.
Biden receives booster dose
Today President Joe Biden publicly received a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shot in front of reporters, because he is over 65 and it has been more than 6 months since he finished his primary vaccination series.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended Pfizer booster doses on Friday for those over 65, those at risk for severe COVID-19, and those who are at increased risk of exposure due to where they work or live.
"The vast majority of Americans are doing the right things," Biden said, referring to vaccination. But the president said he was "moving forward with vaccination requirements wherever I can. One thing is for certain is that a quarter of the country cannot go unvaccinated."
The CDC COVID Data Tracker shows that 55.4% of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and 64.4% have received at least one dose of vaccine.
The only group ineligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in the country is children under 12. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla yesterday told ABC's "This Week" that the company expects to submit its vaccine trial data for children ages 5 to 11 to the FDA very soon.
"I think we are going to submit this data pretty soon. It's a question of days, not weeks," Bourla said. Pfizer released promising safety and efficacy data early last week from a trial of its vaccine in kids ages 5 to 11.
Thousands of NY health workers unvaccinated
Healthcare workers in New York have until midnight tonight to get their first dose of COVID-19 or risk losing employment. New York state announced a vaccine mandate for health workers earlier this month.
According to the New York Times, as many as 70,000 workers statewide have refused to get vaccinated. Gov. Kathy Hochul has said she may deploy National Guard troops to replace unvaccinated workers. State officials also said they will welcome traveling healthcare providers.
In related news, New York City schools have been temporarily blocked from enforcing a vaccine mandate for teachers and other school workers, the Associated Press reports. The temporary injunction against the mandate, which was set to begin today, will be reviewed by a three-judge panel in 2 days.
US COVID-19 cases drop for first time in 3 months
Filed Under:
COVID-19
Stephanie Soucheray | News Reporter | CIDRAP News
| Sep 27, 2021
The summer surge of COVID-19 cases caused by the Delta (B1617.2) variant may be tapering off after causing the fourth wave of heightened pandemic activity in the United States.
The 7-day average of new daily COVID-19 cases is 118,015, with 1,996 deaths, according to the Washington Post tracker. In the past week, new daily cases fell 20%, deaths fell 0.8%, and hospitalizations fell 8.9%.
According to NBC News, the drop in COVID-19 cases over the last week is the longest sustained decline in cases in nearly 3 months. NBC said the fourth wave likely peaked on Sep 13, when the 7-day average of cases at 166,807.
Though new case counts and hospitalizations seems to be declining, experts warned the peak deaths caused by this wave are still likely 2 to 4 weeks away, as has been seen throughout the pandemic.
Yesterday, the country recorded 119,886 cases, including 2,034 deaths, according to the New York Times. In total, the United States has recorded 43,021,678 cases since the pandemic began, including 689,031 deaths.
Biden receives booster dose
Today President Joe Biden publicly received a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shot in front of reporters, because he is over 65 and it has been more than 6 months since he finished his primary vaccination series.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended Pfizer booster doses on Friday for those over 65, those at risk for severe COVID-19, and those who are at increased risk of exposure due to where they work or live.
"The vast majority of Americans are doing the right things," Biden said, referring to vaccination. But the president said he was "moving forward with vaccination requirements wherever I can. One thing is for certain is that a quarter of the country cannot go unvaccinated."
The CDC COVID Data Tracker shows that 55.4% of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and 64.4% have received at least one dose of vaccine.
The only group ineligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in the country is children under 12. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla yesterday told ABC's "This Week" that the company expects to submit its vaccine trial data for children ages 5 to 11 to the FDA very soon.
"I think we are going to submit this data pretty soon. It's a question of days, not weeks," Bourla said. Pfizer released promising safety and efficacy data early last week from a trial of its vaccine in kids ages 5 to 11.
Thousands of NY health workers unvaccinated
Healthcare workers in New York have until midnight tonight to get their first dose of COVID-19 or risk losing employment. New York state announced a vaccine mandate for health workers earlier this month.
According to the New York Times, as many as 70,000 workers statewide have refused to get vaccinated. Gov. Kathy Hochul has said she may deploy National Guard troops to replace unvaccinated workers. State officials also said they will welcome traveling healthcare providers.
In related news, New York City schools have been temporarily blocked from enforcing a vaccine mandate for teachers and other school workers, the Associated Press reports. The temporary injunction against the mandate, which was set to begin today, will be reviewed by a three-judge panel in 2 days.