About 1,750 deaths were reported March 4 compared to about 3,600 deaths recorded Feb. 4, according to the Tracking Project.
Three more updates:
1. The White House will partner with health insurers to make sure COVID-19 vaccines are distributed to high-risk members, White House COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt said March 3. The initiative will be led by America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The initiative aims to vaccinate 2 million Americans over the next 100 days. There are 13 insurers involved who will arrange vaccine sign-ups using state and local registries. Both members of private Medicare plans and low-income older adults who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid will be included in the effort, AHIP told Politico.
2. Countries’ COVID-19 vaccination efforts are outpacing global syringe supplies, reports The New York Times. Experts say the world needs about 8 billion to 10 billion syringes for COVID-19 vaccinations. Syringe-makers are now ramping up production to try to meet this demand, according to the Times.
3. The Senate will meet today to debate President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief bill, reports The Washington Post. Senators will be able to propose amendments through a series of roll-call votes. Changes would need support from any group of 51 senators to be enacted.
Snapshot of COVID-19 in U.S.
Cases: 28,828,292
Deaths: 520,387
Americans receiving at least one vaccine dose: 54,035,670
Counts reflect March 4 and March 5 data from Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University and the CDC.
More articles on public health:
Why COVID Tracking Project will stop reporting data March 7
COVID-19 hospitalizations by state: March 5
Researchers find link between COVID-19, Type A blood
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
