COVID-19 cases continue to plummet

The omicron wave appears to be falling just as sharply as it surged. The rolling three-day average of new cases is at its lowest level since July at around 60,000 per day, according to Worldometer. That’s down from more than 800,000 just over one month ago. Hospitalizations and deaths are also falling sharply.

What does this mean for restrictions? Many U.S. states, cities, and businesses are dropping their mask and vaccine mandates. California Gov. Gavin Newsom released a new “endemic strategy” last week to move the state “out of crisis mode.” Meanwhile, in England, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday that he is scrapping the last of the country’s COVID-19 restrictions. After April 1, people who test positive for the virus or experience symptoms don’t have to quarantine, though the government recommends they be considerate of others around them. Johnson said sufficient immunity levels mean a government intervention is no longer necessary.

Dig deeper: Listen to Anna Johansen Brown’s report on whether strict lockdowns successfully limit COVID-19 spread.