New COVID-19 infections fell by about 20% nationwide over the past two weeks, though parts of the West and Midwest are seeing their caseloads tick higher.
By the numbers: The U.S. is now averaging about 70,000 new cases and 1,400 deaths per day.
- Alaska still has the biggest outbreak in the country, relative to its population, with an average of 82 new cases per 100,000 residents. Alaska has led the nation in cases per capita for several weeks, though it's improving significantly.
- Colorado, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Wyoming are all averaging at least 50 daily cases per 100,000 people.
- Several former hotspots now have the lowest rates of new infection in the country. Six states — Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana and Mississippi — are all averaging 10 or fewer daily cases per 100,000 people.
What we're watching: The authorization of vaccines for kids will help boost the country’s overall vaccination rates, at least a little — and more vaccinations should in turn help avoid another wave of severe illness and death like we saw last winter.