January was the deadliest of all months of the coronavirus outbreak in the US. However, the month ended on a positive note (covid progress) – the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are decreasing while vaccinations are picking up speed.
At such a crucial time, a vital question is revolving – can the nation stay a step ahead of the fast-spreading mutations of the virus.
The Devastating Winter of January
The total death toll in the country has surged past 440,000, of which, more than 95,000 lost their lives in January. Now, deaths are running at around 3,150 on average per day, almost 200 down from mid-January.
The scenario took a turn towards betterment in February. The number of hospitalized Americans with COVID-19 fell below 100,000 for the first time in almost two months. Around 148,000 new cases of infection are being registered a day, down from almost a quarter-million in mid-January. The cases are trending downward in all of the 50 states.
According to experts, while vaccine might be playing a role in the sharp drop of cases throughout the country, it is not the vital factor. According to them, more and more people have started understanding how they can help slow the virus from spreading. Besides, the growth of herd immunity is also responsible for the sudden decline in the number of victims.
Where the Vaccine Stands
On the other hand, after getting a slow start, the vaccination drive has picked up its pace. To date, more than 33 million doses have been administered throughout the country. Significantly, the number was close to 16.5 million on January 20 – the day President Joe Biden took office. After January 20, 1.3 million shots were registered on average per day, which is higher than the president’s goal of 1 million per day.
With things rolling out as smoothly as possible, the recent snowstorm might be a barrier to the vaccination drive. While more than 6 million Americans have received the required two doses of the vaccine, it is time to stay safer and opt for the vaccine as soon as possible.
