US COVID-19 Infections Surpass 30 Million... 2.5 Million Vaccinations Administered Daily

25% of the Entire Population Vaccinated at Least Once... 2.5 to 3 Million Vaccinated Daily
Vaccination Target Expected to Expand to Entire Population by May 1
New Infections and Deaths Still a Concern... 50,000 Infections and 1,000 Deaths Daily
Fauci: "Turning Point Has Not Yet Been Reached"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States surpassed 30 million on the 24th (local time), according to emerging data. This means that about 10% of the U.S. population has experienced COVID-19 infection.

On the 24th (local time), the statistics company Worldometer reported that the cumulative number of COVID-19 patients in the U.S. was 30.66 million as of that day. The New York Times also reported that the cumulative infections exceeded 30 million based on its own tally.

Johns Hopkins University, the standard for U.S. COVID-19 statistics, recorded about 29.98 million cases and is expected to surpass 30 million within the day. Johns Hopkins University also reports the cumulative death toll at 544,000.

Although new infections and deaths are declining as vaccination spreads in the U.S., it is still not a situation to be complacent about.

According to the Associated Press, currently 70% of Americans aged 65 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports about 2.5 million vaccinations administered per day. Approximately 25% of the total U.S. population has received at least one vaccine dose, and about 14% have completed vaccination.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said at a press briefing that the U.S. is still not ready to declare victory over COVID-19.

He said, "We do not yet know if we have turned the corner." This means that they are closely monitoring the situation where more than 50,000 new infections and 1,000 deaths occur daily.

In Michigan and New Jersey, new infections have increased again, making the expansion of economic activity reopening uncertain.

Acceleration of Vaccination with Three Types of Vaccines... Nationwide Vaccination Expected to Begin May 1

State governments across the U.S. are accelerating vaccination efforts. The New York Times reported that 40 states are expected to comply with President Joe Biden's directive to expand vaccination to all adults by May 1.

The U.S. is using three types of vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. The AstraZeneca vaccine, which has been controversial, has not been approved and is only being stockpiled.

Expanding the vaccination target does not necessarily mean vaccinations are readily available. In New York and New Jersey, it is still difficult to make vaccination appointments. New York State only expanded the vaccination eligibility to those aged 50 and older the day before.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.