The global tally for the coronavirus-borne illness climbed above 167.8 million on Wednesday, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University, while the death toll rose above 3.48 million. The U.S. continues to lead the world in total cases with 33.16 million and deaths with 590,941, although cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all falling as more Americans become vaccinated. The CDC’s vaccine tracker is showing that 131 million people, or 39.5% of the U.S. population, are fully vaccinated, while 164 million, or 49.5% of the population, have had at least one vaccine dose. Among adult Americans, 50% are now fully vaccinated. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky warned unvaccinated Americans that they will need to take precautions over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, and will need to wear face masks in public and socially distance, the New York Times reported.
India is second worldwide with 27 million cases, and third with 311,388 deaths, although those numbers are understood to be greatly undercounted, given a shortage of tests. Brazil is third in cases with 16.1 million and second in deaths with 452,031. Mexico is fourth by fatalities with 221,960 and 2.4 million cases. The U.K. has 4.5 million cases and 128,001 deaths, the fifth-highest in the world and most of any country in Europe.
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