The global tally for the coronavirus-borne illness rose above 131.3 million on Monday, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University, while the death toll rose above 2.85 million. The U.S. continues to lead the world by cases, at 30.7 million, or about a quarter of the global tally, and fatalities, at 555,001. The U.S. added at least 36,670 new cases on Sunday, according to a New York Times tracker, and at least 277 people died, although those numbers are likely under-reported given reduced staffing at hospitals at weekends. The U.S. has averaged 64,019 cases a day for the last week, up 18% from the average two weeks ago, as cases continue to rise despite the vaccination program, a trend experts say is due to states reopening and dropping restrictions on movement and overall pandemic fatigue. The U.S. is unlikely to face a "true" fourth wave of COVID-19 outbreaks, but the country should wait a few weeks longer before easing mitigation efforts, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said Sunday.
Speaking to CBS News' "Face the Nation," Gottlieb acknowledged that young people were driving new coronavirus outbreaks in many states, but that vaccination efforts should prevent another devastating surge of the virus.
Outside of the U.S., Brazil is second globally in cases at 12.9 million and also second with a death toll at 331,433. India is third worldwide in cases with 12.6 million and fourth in deaths at 165,101. Mexico is third by deaths at 204,147 and 13th highest by cases at 2.3 million. The U.K. has 4.4 million cases and 127,078 deaths, the highest in Europe and fifth highest in the world.
