Delta

FILE - This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly asserting people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 carry a “heavier viral load” if infected with the disease than those who are unvaccinated. Scientists have found that vaccinated people who get so-called breakthrough infections can carry about the same amount of coronavirus as those who did not receive the shots, not more. (NIAID-RML via AP)

CDC: New COVID cases have fallen by 20% in past week

New coronavirus cases have fallen by 20 percent in the past week. According to CDC data, the seven-day average of COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday was at 107,600 compared with 128,700 the week prior. Deaths have also fallen with the CDC reporting a seven-day average of just over 1,400.