The U.S. is gradually reopening as new Covid-19 cases continue to improve. More states are lifting capacity restrictions on nonessential businesses and easing mask mandates, resulting in a piecemeal approach to lockdown measures between states and localities. Health experts have warned prematurely easing restrictions could usher in new outbreaks, while others argue governments should adjust policies to anticipate the riskier behavior brought about by warmer weather and pandemic fatigue.
Here are the biggest developments Thursday:
- Biden signs Covid relief bill, triggering stimulus checks for Americans as soon as this weekend
- Denmark suspends use of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine over reports of blood clots
- Variant in the UK appears to be 64% more deadly than other strains, study finds
- Singapore has not given up on air travel bubble with Hong Kong after postponement
- How Covid tanked the U.S. economy — in charts
The U.S. is recording at least 56,200 new Covid-19 cases and at least 1,430 virus-related deaths each day, based on a seven-day average calculated by CNBC using Johns Hopkins University data.
The following data was compiled by Johns Hopkins University:
- Global cases: More than 118.24 million
- Global deaths: At least 2.62 million
- U.S. cases: More than 29.16 million
- U.S. deaths: At least 529,469