COVID-19 tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)
Total U.S. confirmed cases: 83,518,205 (83,394,712)
Total U.S. deaths: 1,002,780 (1,002,386)
Total global cases: 526,849,172 (526,228,343)
Total global deaths: 6,280,942 (6,278,929)
CDC identifies most common symptoms of long COVID
A new study suggests that not everyone who recovers from COVID-19 gets a clean bill of health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that COVID-19 survivors are twice as likely to develop pulmonary embolism or respiratory conditions.
The study also found that one in five COVID-19 patients who recover and are between the ages of 18 and 64 have at least one lingering condition that could be a result of their COVID-19 infection – a condition known as long COVID. For people aged 65 and older, the odds of lingering symptoms are one in four.
In addition to neurological issues, the CDC identified cardiovascular conditions, kidney failure, respiratory conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, and blood clots as the most common lingering effects associated with long COVID.
Pfizer CEO predicts constant waves of the virus
If the current buildup in COVID-19 cases turns into another wave, it might be something to get used to. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla predicts that the world could experience “repeated waves” of the coronavirus.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Bourla said weakening immunity from previous infections and vaccinations could lead to “constant waves” of COVID-19 variants and deaths, especially if people stop taking precautions.
“What worries me is the complacency,” Bourla said, noting that the public is growing tired of mitigation measures.
New York has reopened, but the exodus to Florida continues
At the height of the pandemic, when New York was largely restricted, thousands of New Yorkers headed for Florida. Even though New York is now mostly open, data shows that the migration to Florida has continued.
The Department of Motor Vehicles can track the movement by analyzing drivers' license data. The latest analysis shows that 21,546 New Yorkers traded their driver’s licenses for a Florida license during the first four months of this year. That’s a 12% increase from the same period last year.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams previously said New Yorkers would stop moving once the city reopened. The city has even leased billboards in Florida that urges recent transplants to return.
Around the nation
Minnesota: While new cases of COVID-19 are rising in dozens of states, the numbers appear to be trending lower in Minnesota. Official statistics show that the state’s case growth rate stands at 36.1 daily new cases per 100,000 residents. That's above the high-risk threshold, but it's a sign that new cases are falling.
Ohio: Fewer colleges across Ohio will require vaccinations for students attending in the fall. The University of Cincinnati, Ohio University, and Bowling Green State University eased their COVID-19 requirements during the spring semester.
Louisiana: COVID-19 cases are trending higher, but state health officials have expressed confidence that the caseload is manageable. “We are in a very different place than we were during March and April and May of 2020. We have a highly effective vaccine. We have several treatments. Our health care system right now is handling this pretty well and is stable,” said Dr. Lacey Cavanaugh, an official with the Louisiana Department of Health.
Oregon: Oregon has experienced a surge in new coronavirus cases this month. State health officials report that there were about 12,000 new cases last week. However, they say cases requiring a stay in the hospital are not rising nearly as fast and should peak early next month.
Maine: In another sign that the current variants of COVID-19 are less severe, state health officials report that hospitalizations dropped by nearly 10% this week. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is 47 fewer than its recent high of 231.