The global tally for the coronavirus-borne illness climbed to 171.2 million on Wednesday, while the death toll rose to 3,567,444, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. remained in the lead globally in cases with 33.3 million and deaths with 595,213, JHU data show, but the seven-day average for cases has fallen 45% from two weeks ago, according to a New York Times tracker, for deaths has dropped 44% and for hospitalizations has declined 22% as vaccinations continue to increase. The number of Americans fully vaccinated increased to 135.9 million, or 40.9% of the total population, while the number of people who are at least 18 years old who have been fully vaccinated grew to 133.6 million, or 51.7% of the population. On a global basis, India was second in cases at 28.3 million, followed by Brazil at 16.6 million, according to JHU data, while Brazil was second in deaths at 465,199 and India was third at 335,102.
Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.
