Coronavirus cases on college campuses might be surging, but across the United States as a whole, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is actually dropping. Yes, you read that right. For the first time in a long while, we’re seeing some positive signs in the fight against this pandemic. Following a major spike in June and July, most states are now showing a consistent decline in both new cases and deaths for over 30 days. This trend has been steady, with no clear indication it’s about to reverse. While it’s not time to let our guard down completely, this is a promising sign for many Americans. Here’s what this means for you: As of today, the 7-day average of new confirmed cases in the U.S. has been falling for 33 consecutive days. Since hitting its peak in July, the total number of new cases has dropped by more than 35%. At the same time, test positivity rates have fallen from 8.5% to 6.1%, even as testing volumes have slightly decreased. This suggests that the actual number of cases may be dropping even faster than reported. Daily death rates have also declined, although more slowly. From a high of over 1,100 deaths per day in early August, the number has now dropped to just under 1,000. That’s a 15% decrease so far, but it’s still too early to say the worst is behind us. One of the most encouraging trends is the drop in the case fatality rate (CFR). As we predicted in June, the CFR has fallen significantly compared to the early days of the pandemic. Improved treatment options and earlier detection have played a role, along with increased testing. The current resurgence has seen a fourfold drop in CFR, despite double the peak case numbers. It's a mix of better care and more accurate reporting, but the overall trend is clear: we're doing better than before. Not all states are experiencing the same level of improvement. Right now, over 30 states have R values below 1, which is a good sign that transmission is slowing. However, seven states still have R values above 1.1, including Hawaii, North and South Dakota, Iowa, North Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin. At the county level, only 69 counties in the U.S. show both a high R value (over 1.1) and a moving average of more than 25 new cases per day. These areas include parts of Texas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Kansas, Iowa, and North Carolina. Some of these places, like Fresno and San Bernardino in California, are particularly concerning due to their high case counts and ongoing growth. There are also smaller counties where cases are rising rapidly from a low base, often due to localized superspreader events. Examples include Orange County, North Carolina; Pinal County, Arizona; McLean County, Illinois; Comanche County, Oklahoma; Grand Forks, North Dakota; and Guam. The downward trend in cases has several important implications: However, there are still risks on the horizon. School reopenings, large gatherings, protests, and events like the Sturgis motorcycle rally could all contribute to new spikes. Plus, fall is coming, and we still don’t fully understand how seasonal the virus will be. For individuals, if you live in an area with declining cases, now could be a good time to take care of tasks you’ve been putting off—like medical appointments, home projects, or shopping. But remember, this is still a fragile situation. Don’t assume it’s safe just because numbers are going down. Stay alert, stay informed, and keep protecting yourself and others. Mesh Artificial Lawn,Turf Roll,Outdoor Fake Grass,Artificial Turf Installation Changshu Keyuan Eco-friendly New Materials Co.,Ltd , https://www.ailiqingky.com
The Numbers Are Finally Turning Around
Some Areas Are Still Struggling
What Does This Mean for You and the Pandemic?