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The daily average of new cases dropped to about 17,248 as of Monday, according to data
from Johns Hopkins University. However, that number might be lower than reality, as some
cases from the weekend and the Memorial Day holiday might not have been reported yet.
Still, it's a stunning milestone that comes after more than a year of loss and suffering across
the country and the world. And it's one worth pausing for, to acknowledge both that
devastation but also the progress the US has made.
In March of last year, Covid-19 infection and hospitalization numbers started climbing
rapidly -- and deaths followed. At least 80% of the country's population was under stay-at-
home orders.
That was the first of several crushing surges. More than 33 million Americans have been
infected with coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University, and more than 594,000
have died -- both numbers likely undercounts of the pandemic's true toll.
Now proven against coronavirus, mRNA can do so much more
But now, the US is heading in the right direction, thanks to a powerful ally in the battle
against the pandemic: Covid-19 vaccines.
"Cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all declining because of the millions of people who
have stepped forward and done their part to protect their health and the health of their
communities to move us out of this pandemic," US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a recent White House briefing.
Tuesday, New York reported its lowest positivity rate since the pandemic's start, Mayor Bill
de Blasio said, attributing the milestone to vaccinations and the "willpower of New Yorkers."
"This is ... another clear piece of evidence that New York City is coming back strong," the
mayor said. "Let's drive Covid out of New York City once and for all."
More than 50% of the US population has received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose, CDC
data shows, and more than 40% of the country is fully vaccinated.
Governors nationwide have eased Covid-19 restrictions, and nearly every state that had a
mask mandate has now lifted it. But the pandemic certainly isn't over.
More Americans need to get vaccinated to reach herd immunity (and keep it)
The US can push its Covid-19 numbers lower and help prevent Covid-19 outbreaks if more
Americans are inoculated.
Moderna seeks full FDA approval for its emergency authorized vaccine
While new Covid-19 cases keep dropping as more Americans get vaccinated, Moderna said
Tuesday it's seeking full approval for its vaccine from the US Food and Drug Administration.
Covid-19 vaccine myths: These reasons for not getting a shot don't hold up. In fact, they'll
set the US back
Since December, Moderna's two-shot vaccine has been distributed under an FDA
emergency use authorization for Americans 18 and older.
On April 13, the company announced its vaccine maintained over 90% efficacy six months
out -- the length of follow-up time needed to apply for FDA approval.
Moderna is the second company to seek such approval in the US. On May 7, Pfizer
announced it was starting its own application for people 16 and older, following an April 1
announcement that its clinical trials showed over 91% efficacy after six months.
Experts say they expect vaccine protection will last much longer than six months, to be
confirmed as more data comes in.
States have offered big prizes for those vaccinated. Companies are now doing the same
Moderna said it will keep submitting trial data "on a rolling basis over the coming weeks with
a request for a Priority Review." A priority review asks the FDA to take action within six
months, compared to the 10 months designated under standard review.
Both Pfizer and Moderna are also studying their vaccines in children as young as 6 months.
Last month, the FDA granted Pfizer's vaccine an emergency use authorization for children
12 to 15.
Full FDA approval could motivate some vaccine-hesitant Americans to roll up their sleeves,
according to research released Friday by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
But in practical terms for the public, there's not a big difference between emergency use
authorization and full FDA approval, said Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the FDA's Vaccines
and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.
Unvaccinated people are still at risk as the US celebrates Memorial Day weekend maskless
Vacationers also enjoyed Miami Beach, Florida, over the weekend, but the mayor said he
worried "too many people are coming" to the scenic city.
"The virus is still here," Mayor Dan Gelber said. "The volume of people that have been
coming here is very unprecedented."
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