More than 497,600 people have died from Covid-19 in the US, according to Johns Hopkins University. Decreases in new Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks have prompted some state and local leaders to loosen restrictions. "The most uncertain driver of the trajectory of the epidemic over the next four months is how individuals will respond to steady declines in daily cases and deaths," the IHME team wrote. So far, more than 42.8 million Americans have received at least the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to CDC data. The IHME team wrote they do not expect the country will reach herd immunity before next winter.

Source: The Nation February 21, 2021 16:52 UTC