Decline in cases tapers while multiple studies show vaccines are preventing infections, hospitalizations and deaths
Fauci: "We are at the corner" but haven't turned it yet
The vaccines are working: Among nearly 37,000 healthcare workers at two University of California medical centers, only 7 became infected with COVID-19 more than two weeks after receiving both shots of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, according to a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine. There were 30 new cases within 14 days of the second dose, and 342 who were infected after the first dose and before the second dose, most within the first two weeks, the researchers report.
This and other data in the current NEJM are “a real proof positive of the effectiveness of vaccination,” says NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci. The infection rates observed in this and two other studies - well under 1% among fully vaccinated individuals - are the kind of level necessary for the pandemic to end.
“We are at the corner. Whether we are going to be turning that corner remains to be seen.” - Dr. Anthony Fauci, adding that the number of new cases must go way down from its present 50-60,000/day level.
The White House says 70% of Americans over 65 have received at least one vaccine dose, and about 2.5 million new shots are being administered each day. There are 27 million doses ready for distribution this week, and one-third of those are going directly to pharmacies and other sites independent of state and county distribution programs.
An Arizona man was arrested in Texas Monday after stopping a National Guard convoy transporting COVID-19 vaccine doses and holding 11 guard members at gunpoint.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky gave some wellness tips today in her part of the White House COVID-19 briefing. Her advice includes staying away from the news and social media a bit. Good advice. If you subscribe to this newsletter, you won’t miss major COVID-19 stories. Thanks!