US reports sharp fall in new Covid-19 cases over the weekend
Washington DC – New coronavirus cases and deaths due to the pandemic in the United States fell sharply over the weekend.
![Coronavirus deaths reported on Sunday were less than half of the seven-day average (stock image).](https://media.tag24.de/951x634/l/w/lwybk8jznzim1t9jx3rz6jgp9j14a0g7.jpg)
In total, 444 new coronavirus deaths were reported in the country on Sunday. This is less than half of the seven-day average of 1,066.
Likewise, 34,217 new cases were reported, which is sharply lower than the weekly average of 54,404. With this, the national total of Covid-19 cases increased to 29,816,771, according to latest data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The US Covid-19 death toll rose to 542,343.
The significant fall in both Covid-19 metrics concurrently reflected state-wise. California and Texas, the two worst-affected states, together accounted for only 136 deaths on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Miami Beach Police fired pepper balls into crowds of partygoers and arrested at least a dozen people as a state of emergency was declared in the city to crack down on spring breakers. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber also declared curfew starting at 8:00 PM.
Results from the much-awaited US trial of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine confirmed that it is both safe and highly effective.
In major coronavirus-related developments outside the US, India reported 46,951 new coronavirus cases on Monday, the highest single-day rise since November 12.
Turkey's Health Ministry reported that the country has surpassed 3 million Covid-19 cases and 30,000 deaths.
Brazil reported that intensive care units in 25 out of 27 states are near capacity as coronavirus cases continue to surge in the country.
Cover photo: 123RF/Kateryna Kon