COVID cases continue sharp decline in nearly every state

SARS-CoV-2 cases are continuing a steep downward trend in nearly every state in the U.S., tracking with late predictions from numerous experts that the Omicron surge appears to have largely peaked.

The sharp upward trajectory of cases in this country appears to have turned in mid-July and has been falling ever since. At that time, the daily average case numbers stood around 800,000; they have since fallen to just over 300,000. 

Deaths attributed to the virus are continuing to rise; a lag between case rates and deaths from the virus has generally been observed throughout the pandemic. 

Some states are following the encouraging news by lifting restrictions such as mask mandates and event bans. 

Vaccination rates in the country largely stalled last year and have been increasing only at a very slow rate since then. Less than a third of the U.S. has received a booster shot against the virus.