The U.S. is now averaging more than 74,000 new cases a day, according to Johns Hopkins University—up from just over 68,000 a week ago. Walensky said deaths are now also on the rise, with the Times tracker showing a rise from less than 740 per day a week ago to now around 750. The likely culprit appears to be a highly contagious Covid-19 strain called B.1.1.7 that was first identified in the United Kingdom. That’s how many doses of Covid-19 vaccine had been administered in the U.S. as of Thursday, according to the CDC. Walensky has urged Michigan to “close things down” as top health officials, like Dr. Anthony Fauci, have advised states against widespread reopenings.

Source: Forbes April 16, 2021 18:10 UTC