Half of new COVID-19 cases are in 5 states
Nearly half of new coronavirus infections nationwide are in just five states – a situation that is putting pressure on the federal government to consider changing how it distributes vaccines by sending more doses to hot spots.
New York, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey together reported 44% of the nation’s new COVID-19 infections, or nearly 197,500 new cases, in the latest available seven-day period, according to state health agency data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
The heavy concentration of new cases in states that account for 22% of the U.S. population has prompted some experts and elected officials to call for President Joe Biden’s administration to ship additional vaccine doses to those places. So far, the White House has shown no signs of shifting from its policy of dividing vaccine doses among states based on population.
The federal government is expanding vaccine access to all federally qualified community health centers. The White House decision, announced Wednesday, expands opportunities for underserved people to find vaccines in their communities. There are more than 1,400 of the health centers nationwide.
The U.S. has more than 30.8 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 556,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: More than 132.6 million cases and 2.87 million deaths. At least 219 million vaccine doses have been distributed in the U.S. and 168 million have been administered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About 80% of teachers, child care workers vaccinated
About 80% of teachers, school staff and child care workers have gotten at least their first COVID-19 vaccine shot, according to the CDC. The percentage came from a CDC survey completed by 13,000 education staff and 40,000 childcare workers across the country. The CDC said it had tracked more than 7 million doses that had been administered to the group, which were prioritized in early March in hopes of reopening schools across the U.S.
“Our push to ensure that teachers, school staff, and child care workers were vaccinated during March has paid off and paved the way for safer inperson learning,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said. “CDC will build on the success of this program and work with our partners to continue expanding our vaccination efforts, as we work to ensure confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.”
Brazil, Argentina break records for deaths, infections
Brazil and Argentina broke their own bleak records with infections and deaths as the rest of the globe continues its race to vaccinate. Brazil – where the more infectious P.1 variant was discovered – saw its deadliest day on record on Tuesday with 4,195 deaths within 24 hours.
More than 330,000 people have died in the country. Argentina recorded 20,870 new cases in one day, with a total of more than 2.4 million.
Other top headlines
h The coronavirus variant first identified in Britain, formally known as B.1.1.7, is “now the most common lineage circulating in United States,” the CDC director said Wednesday.
h The European Union’s drug regulator says it has found a “possible link” between the AstraZeneca vaccine and a rare clotting disorder but said the benefits of the shot still outweigh risks.
In a statement Wednesday, the European Medicines Agency placed no new restrictions on using the vaccine in people 18 and over.