Data: CSSE Johns Hopkins University; Map: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios
Coronavirus infections continue to plummet across the U.S.
Why it matters: Experts have warned many times over the past year that it wouldn’t be safe to rush back into pre-pandemic life without containing the virus. Now, though, the U.S. is finally containing the virus.
By the numbers: The U.S. averaged about 30,000 cases per day over the past week.
The progress is happening remarkably fast, and across the board.
It was just last week that average daily cases dropped below 40,000, for the first time in months. This week’s figures are a 20% improvement over last week.
39 states saw their caseloads improve over the past week.
Alabama showed an increase in new cases, although the state had some unusual reporting glitches this week.
Technically, cases also increased in Washington, D.C., but it’s no cause for alarm: The District has fewer new cases per day (about 48, on average) than any state.
What’s next: This is all happening because of the vaccines. The more people get vaccinated, the better it’ll get.