New cases of coronavirus in the United States have dropped to pre-Thanksgiving levels, said the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday, and infection rates continue to decline.
“Now we seem to be on a consistent downward trajectory” for cases and hospitalizations, Director of the CDC Rochelle WalenskyRochelle Walensky’s Morning Report The Hill – Presented by Facebook – Biden, Republican Party senators start talking; Dems advance Health care overnight: White House awards 0 million to increase testing at home | Schumer promises that Senate will accept ‘bold’ coronavirus project Biden officials advocate two-dose strategy amid fears of variants Biden officials advocate two-dose strategy amid fears of variants MORE told reporters during a COVID-19 briefing at the White House.
Cases have declined since it peaked on January 8, dropping 13.4 percent to an average of almost 144,000 a day from January 26 to February 1, Walensky said.
Deaths continue to rise, but the pace is slowing. Fatalities are an indicator of delay, so it will take some time to reflect the lower rates of infection and hospitalization.
“The recent decline in hospitalizations gives us hope that the number of deaths will start to decline in the coming weeks,” said Walensky.
The decreasing number of infections has prompted states and cities to begin to reverse some of the restrictions that have existed since before the December vacation period, such as the ban on indoor meals.
Despite relatively positive news, infection numbers are still double the maximum number of cases during the summer, and the United States still averages more than 3,000 deaths per day.
Walensky warned Americans not to let their guard down, especially as the variants that probably increased transmissibility continue to multiply.
Experts say the best way to prevent the spread of variants is for people to follow basic public health care, such as avoiding large crowds, wearing masks and walking away, and getting vaccinated as soon as possible.
Walensky specifically warned against people gathering in large groups at home for Super Bowl parties this weekend, saying people should meet virtually or with immediate family members.