Coronavirus news, updates, hotspots and information for 5-21-2021

This is Coronavirus 411, the latest COVID-19 info and new hotspots… Just the facts… for May 21st, 2021.

The CDC apparently believes relaxing mask requirements will encourage people who haven’t already done so to get vaccinated. Some experts in human behavior say not likely. The gamble is people will be nervous in a maskless world if they aren't vaccinated. The risk is that those people never felt at risk and all this will do is cause unvaccinated people to go unmasked.

With 52 more COVID-19 fatalities added to the statewide total yesterday, Texas has crossed over the 50,000 deaths mark. The number per day had been decreasing into the 30s earlier this month before beginning a steady climb back into the 50s. Still, the state is now reporting about the same number of deaths in a week they were reporting every day in January.

Panama temporarily closed its border with Colombia starting yesterday to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and tighten security. Panama said Colombia's decision to reopen borders "puts at risk the significant progress" Panama has made. So no entry by land, sea, or river routes.

Some good news for the AstraZeneca vaccine. Public Health England says real-life data suggests it’s providing more protection than was expected from clinical trials. After a second dose, the chance of falling ill is reduced by around 89% as opposed to the previously believed 70-75%.

Other states are taking notice of the success of Ohio’s vaccine lottery and are doing similar things. New Yorkers 18 and older who get their first dose between May 24 and 28 at some locations across the state will get a free lottery scratch-off ticket for a $5 million lottery. Maryland also announced its $2 million VaxCash Promotion, which will divide that amount among 41 residents who get vaccinated. Daily drawings will reward some of the newly vaccinated with $40,000 starting May 25 until July 4. And on the Fourth, one person will win $400,000.

In the United States cases were down 36%, deaths are down 14%, and hospitalizations are down 21% over 14 days. The 7-day average of new cases has been trending down since April 14.  

There are now 5,871,914 active cases in the United States. The current top 5 states by number of active cases: California, Virginia, New York, Maryland, and Kentucky. 

The top 10 counties with the highest number of recent cases per capita according to The New York Times: Chattahoochee, GA. Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK. Livingston, MO. Charlton, GA. Lincoln, WA. Koochiching, MN. McKenzie, ND. Alamosa, CO. Karnes, TX. And Linn, MO. 

The five states with the highest risk levels and most daily new cases per capita over 7 days are Alabama, Delaware, Colorado, Michigan, and Maine.

There have been 588,531 deaths in the U.S. recorded as Covid-related with a current national fatality rate of 1.79%.

The states with the most new deaths reported as COVID-related: Michigan 82. Florida 70. California 53. Illinois 49. Texas 44. Pennsylvania 38. Alabama 32. Colorado 26. New Jersey 23. And Georgia 22. 

The top 3 vaccinating states by percentage of population that’s had at least one dose, Vermont at 65.8%, Massachusetts at 63.1%, and Hawaii at 63%. The bottom 3 vaccinating states are Mississippi at 32.9%, Louisiana at 34.4%, and Alabama at 34.9%. The percentage of the U.S. that’s been fully vaccinated is 37.8%.

Globally, cases were down 29% and deaths down 14% over 14 days, with the 7-day average trending down since April 23. 

There are now 15,877,844 active cases around the world.

The five countries with the most new cases: India 259,269. Brazil 83,367. Argentina 35,884. The United States 30,214. And Colombia 16,086. 

There have now been 3,425,648 deaths reported as Covid-related worldwide. 

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