HEALTHLATEST

Coronavirus infections in the US have fallen below 30,000 daily cases for the first time since last June

Michelle Mark

Daily coronavirus infections in the United States have fallen below 30,000 for the first time since last June, new data shows, revealing continued progress in battling the pandemic.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the seven-day average of daily new cases has plunged to just over 27,700.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said at a press conference that the seven-day average hasn’t been this low since June 18 of last year.

Data from Johns Hopkins University also showed just 28,000 new cases on Friday, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis.

Hospital admissions and deaths are also down. The CDC said the seven-day average for hospital admissions has dropped to 3,400 and deaths are at a new low of 498 per day.

The drop in cases comes amid a rise in vaccinations. CDC data shows that 38.9% of the total US population has been fully vaccinated and 48.9% have received at least one dose. Among those age 18 or older, a whopping 60% have received at least one shot.

“As each week passes and as we continue to see progress, these data give me hope,” Walensky said. “These data are telling us a story: As more and more people roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated, the number of cases and the level of community risk is decreasing.”