4 Million Deaths

Reposted from 1440 Daily Digest

The global COVID-19 death toll has surpassed 4 million, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. While the US has the highest reported total at more than 600,000 deaths, current global hot spots include Brazil and Russia. Reported deaths across Africa have also tripled over the past month.

In the US, newly reported illnesses have risen by more than 30% over two weeks, to around 15,000 cases per day (see data). Deaths attributed to the virus have remained steady, averaging just over 200 per day. 

Experts say the combination of loosened restrictions, a summer travel boom, and the new Delta variant have driven the rise. Preliminary data suggest vaccines available in the US and the UK remain more than 90% effective in preventing severe illness arising from the Delta variant. More than half of new cases in the US over the past two weeks have been linked to the strain (data here). 

Almost 65% of Americans over the age of 12 have received at least one vaccination dose. See how your state is doing here.

In related news, Japan declared a state of emergency through Aug. 22. The decision means almost no spectators will be allowed at the Tokyo Olympics, which begin July 23. Average new COVID-19 daily cases in the city have doubled since mid-June, surpassing 660 per day.