The global tally for the coronavirus-borne illness climbed above 239.6 million on Friday, while the death toll edged above 4.88 million, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. continues to lead the world with a total of 44.8 million cases and 721,567 deaths. The U.S. is averaging more than 1,800 deaths a day, according to a New York Times tracker, , although new cases and hospitalizations are declining. A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee said Thursday that some Americans who received Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago should get a half-dose booster to rev up protection against the coronavirus. The panel of outside advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously to recommend a booster shot for seniors, as well as younger adults with other health problems, jobs or living situations that put them at increased risk from COVID-19.The committee will reconvene on Friday to discuss boosters for the Johnson & Johnson shot.
India is second by cases after the U.S. at 34 million and has suffered 451,814 deaths. Brazil has second highest death toll at 602,099 and 21.6 million cases. In Europe, Russia has most fatalities at 216,402, followed by the U.K. at 138,647.
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