India's Mysterious Fall
The rate of new COVID-19 cases reported in India has fallen by 90% since mid-September, with the number of new cases reported across the country averaging just over 11,000. With more than 1.3 billion people and inconsistent healthcare access for rural citizens, India was on pace to surpass the US as the world's epicenter heading into the winter.
Instead, hospital critical care capacity has dropped from 90% to 16% over the same time frame. Experts speculate a mix of herd immunity in urban centers, under-reporting, and possibly some type of preexisting resistance to SARS-CoV-2 may be among the factors. Demographics may also play a role—65% of India's population is under age 35, and less susceptible to severe COVID-19 cases.
In the US, the number of vaccines shipped to states this week will be increased to 13.6 million in total, up from 11 million last week, while almost 40 million people have received at least one vaccine dose. The US has reported 488,801 total COVID-19 deaths, with 1,756 deaths reported yesterday (see data).
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