1. Covid-19 Update: Things Are Looking Up Worldwide
The pandemic is in retreat. The number of new coronavirus cases continues to plummet, as does the number of Americans hospitalized with symptoms. Deaths have also begun to decline.
The pandemic is in retreat. The number of new coronavirus cases continues to plummet, as does the number of Americans hospitalized with symptoms. Deaths have also begun to decline.
2. Since reaching a peak on Jan. 8 — related to holiday gatherings — the number of confirmed new daily cases has fallen by almost 60%. The decline in actual cases is probably somewhat smaller, because the volume of testing has also fallen over the last few weeks. But still... 
3. But still ... most of the decline in the chart above is real. We know that because the percentage of tests that came back positive has also dropped sharply (to 7 percent, from 14 percent on Jan. 8).
4. The number of people hospitalized with Covid-19 symptoms is falling, too:
5. Most important, deaths have begun to decline. And deaths are likely to decline more. The fatality trends typically trail behind the trends in diagnosed cases by about three weeks — which means the sharp recent drop in cases is only now starting to affect the death numbers.
6. The Decline In New Cases Is Global
We’re slowly building immunity. The main cause of the decline appears to be that a significant share of people now have at least some immunity to the virus. That also helps explain the global decline in newly diagnosed cases:
We’re slowly building immunity. The main cause of the decline appears to be that a significant share of people now have at least some immunity to the virus. That also helps explain the global decline in newly diagnosed cases:
7. In the U.S., about 110 million people have likely had the virus, researchers say. Another 33 million have received at least one vaccine shot.
Combined, these two groups make up about 43% of all Americans, which appears to be enough to slow the spread.
Combined, these two groups make up about 43% of all Americans, which appears to be enough to slow the spread.
8. Andrew Brouwer, a University of Michigan epidemiologist, says: “Though it is difficult to know for sure, we may be approaching herd protection.”
9. That said, more contagious new variants are a new risk. Failing to take the recommended precautions could be more damaging with the new variants than with the original version of the virus. Continue to take precautions, but there is reason for optimism.
The End
The End
P.S. Covid Infections Plummet in Most States in the U.S.A.
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