After weeks of decline followed by a plateau, the U.S. is seeing a rise in coronavirus cases again. Over the past week, there has been an average of 65,382 cases per day, an increase of 19 percent from the average two weeks earlier. States like Florida and Texas, both overwhelmed by the virus, have removed mask mandates and precautions most experts still call necessary. This is adding urgency to getting more Americans vaccinated before worrisome variants spread into a possible fourth wave of infections. Federal health officials are pleading with Americans to stay vigilant.

Source: New York Times March 30, 2021 22:22 UTC