New coronavirus cases in the United States have fallen to pre-Thanksgiving levels, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Wednesday, and infection rates continue to fall.
“Now we seem to be on a consistent downward trajectory” for both cases and hospitalizations, CDC director Rochelle WalenskyRochelle Walensky Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden, GOP senators begin talks; Demons promote overnight healthcare: White House grants 0M to increase home test | Schumer promises that the Senate will take over the “bold” coronavirus bill Biden officials are defending the two-dose strategy amid fears of variants told reporters during a briefing at the White House COVID-19.
Cases have dropped since they peaked on Jan. 8, down 13.4 percent to an average of nearly 144,000 a day from Jan. 26 through Feb. 1, Walensky said.
Deaths continue to rise, but the pace is slowing. Deaths are an indicator of delay, so it will take some time before they reflect lower rates of infection and hospitalization.
“The recent decline in hospitalizations gives us hope that the death toll should begin to decline in the coming weeks,” Walensky said.
The decline in the number of infections has led states and cities to start lifting some of the restrictions that have been in place since the December holiday period, such as bans on indoor dining.
Despite relatively positive news, the number of infections is still twice as high as the maximum number of cases during the summer, and the US averages more than 3,000 deaths a day.
Walensky warned Americans not to let their guard down, especially as variants that are likely to have increased transmissibility continue to multiply.
Experts say the best way to prevent the spread of variants is for people to follow basic public health precautions, such as avoiding large crowds, wearing masks and physical distance, and vaccinating as soon as possible.
Walensky specifically warned against people gathering inside in large groups for Super Bowl parties this weekend, saying people should gather virtually or with immediate household members.