Covid Act Now Daily Download21:45 ET 13 May 2021
U.S. COVID Map & Risk Levels
Cases: 32.8 million Deaths: 583,000 First dose administered: 155 million Data derived from Covid Act Now. Learn more about our data sources.
The Day’s Top COVID StoriesCNN reports on the CDC announcement that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors in
most settings. The decision is primarily based on three studies, one from Israel and two from the U.S. While there have been a small amount of reports of "breakthrough" infections among vaccinated people, the number is nothing compared to the 117 million people vaccinated in the county and the resulting infections are more likely to have a lower viral load, and likely less risk of transmission to others. Experts warn that people who are immunocompromised should speak with their doctors before giving up masks. Mask requirements remain in place for public transit, including trips on planes, trains and buses. Bloomberg breaks down how regions and nations that successfully contained the virus are having a harder time returning to a sense of normalcy. As cities like New York and London begin to lift restrictions, other hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong risk being left behind as they maintain stringent border curbs and try to stamp out single-digit flare ups. Countries that had less dire pandemic outcomes face a combination of vaccine supply limitations and citizens lack of urgency to get vaccinated. Many of the cities across the world that are starting to lift restrictions are also facing ethical and health questions around allowing international visitors, creating serious quandaries for locales whose economies rely on travel and tourism. The Washington Post explores how some states are incentivizing citizens to get vaccinated. In the most dramatic offer so far, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said this week that vaccinated residents would be eligible for $1 million lottery prizes and full-ride college scholarships.
New COVID Literature & StudiesA study investigated the feasibility of large-scale population COVID self-testing at home. More than 1,000 people included in the study received materials for self-collection of blood and a rapid antibody test using a machine that could be used at home. 91.3 percent of people used the device correctly without help the first time.
The prevalence of COVID antibodies found was similar to the prevalence found in the community by the conventional approach of testing by healthcare professionals. Read the study. - A study shows that COVID antibodies elicited by the Pfizer vaccine can neutralize B.1.526 and B.1.429 (variants first identified in New York and California, respectively) to a high enough degree to protect against their infection. Read the study.
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⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤ ⬤*Key Indicators
(How we determine risk levels)Daily New Cases: How many new cases are confirmed daily?
Infection Rate: Is the number of infections going down?
Test Positivity: Is COVID testing widespread enough to identify new cases?
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