Daily Covid Cases Lowest Since July

Topline

The seven-day average of new Covid-19 cases reported in the U.S. last week dropped to a level not seen since the end of July 2021, before the delta wave surged, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—though the seven-day average of deaths remained high. 

Key Facts

The seven-day average of daily new cases was 62,556 Sunday.

The last time the U.S. reported that few cases was on July 26, when the country had a seven-day average of 60,452 daily new infections. 

The significant decrease in case numbers points towards the end of the omicron surge, which saw some of the highest case numbers yet, though some health experts have warned this doesn’t signal the end of the pandemic.

However, the seven-day average of daily new deaths remained high at 1,868 Sunday, matching the seven-day average daily new deaths that were reported during the peak of the delta wave in September.

Though the number of new deaths remains high, it has decreased since February 2, when the U.S. saw a recent high of 2,614 deaths.

Big Number

807,541. That was the seven-day average of daily new cases on January 15, during the peak of the omicron surge and the highest reported during the 2-year-long pandemic.

Key Background

As case numbers drop around the country, Covid-mitigating regulations are dropping too. The CDC said Friday that it would no longer recommend mask wearing indoors except in areas with high levels of severe Covid-19 cases Friday, after several states had announced they were dropping their indoor and in-school mask mandates. Monday, California, Oregon and Washington became the latest states to announce the ends of their in-school mask requirements. Sunday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that if current case trends continue, the Big Apple will drop its vaccine mandate for attendees of restaurants, bars and other indoor spaces. 

Further Reading

CDC Significantly Loosens Mask Guidelines (Forbes) 

New York could lift its vaccine mandate for indoor spaces as soon as March 7 (NPR)

California, Oregon, Washington to end school mask mandates (Associated Press)