COVID-19 New Infections Rising in 14 US States... Concerns Over COVID-19 Resurgence Increase

In Michigan, a 50% Increase Compared to the Previous Week

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The number of new COVID-19 cases in the United States, which had been declining for a while, has started to increase again, particularly in some states.

On the 17th (local time), CNN reported that this week, 14 states saw a daily increase in new COVID-19 cases by more than 10% compared to the previous week. Among them, seven states?half of the total?experienced an increase rate exceeding 20%.

The state with the highest increase rate was Michigan. Michigan's increase rate was identified as exceeding 50%. Following were Delaware (39%), Montana (34%), Alabama (31%), and West Virginia (29%).

Other states among the 14 include Hawaii, Mississippi, Maine, Nevada, Connecticut, and Maryland.

In Mississippi, the mask mandate was lifted on the 3rd, allowing all businesses and stores to operate at 100% capacity. Since then, new cases have increased by 19% this week, with an average of 463 infections per day.

However, nationwide in the U.S., the daily number of new infections is still on a downward trend. Compared to a month ago on February 17, when only three states including North and South Dakota showed an increase rate above 10%, the current spread is more pronounced.

Dr. Jennifer Moss of the Mid-Michigan District Health Department analyzed the cause of the rapid increase in new cases in Michigan as "a combination of factors including more contagious variant viruses, easing of quarantine regulations, not wearing masks, COVID-19 fatigue, and vaccine expectations."

Dr. Moss added, "I am worried that instead of making progress in the fight against COVID-19, we might be regressing," but noted, "One hope is that aggressive vaccination efforts have been underway."

She further stated, "My hope is that vaccination will help prevent COVID-19 from rising uncontrollably as it did last fall."