New cases of coronavirus in the US have dropped to before Thanksgiving levels, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Wednesday and infection rates are still falling.
“It looks like we now have a consistent downward trajectory” for both cases and hospital admissions, CDC director Rochelle WalenskyRochelle WalenskyOvernight Health Care: Biden commits up to 400 checks but is open to permissible limits | CDC Director: Vaccination of teachers ‘no prerequisite’ for safe school reopening | Coronavirus infections, hospitalizations that fall CDC chief encourages fans to watch Super Bowl virtually or with CDC director: Coronavirus infections, hospitalizations that fall MORE told reporters during a White House COVID-19 briefing.
Business has declined since peaking on Jan. 8, falling 13.4 percent from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 to an average of nearly 144,000 a day, Walensky said.
Deaths continue to rise, but the pace slows. Mortality is an indicator, and it will therefore take time before it reflects the lower infection and hospitalization rates.
“The recent decline in hospitalizations gives us hope that the number of deaths will have to decrease in the coming weeks,” Walensky said.
The declining number of infections has led states and cities to start imposing a number of restrictions that have been in place since the holiday season in December, such as banning indoor dining.
Despite the relatively positive news, the number of infections is still twice as high as the highest number of cases during the summer, and the US still averages more than 3,000 deaths per day.
Walensky has warned Americans not to be vigilant, especially as variants that are likely to increase portability continue to increase.
Experts believe that the best way to prevent the spread of the variant is for people to follow basic precautions for public health, such as avoiding large crowds, wearing masks and physically distancing themselves, as well as vaccinating as soon as possible.
Walensky specifically warned over the weekend against people gathering in large groups for Super Bowl parties indoors, saying people should rather meet virtually or with immediate households.