Despite those concerns, new infections and deaths have fallen steadily in Texas since the state reopened on March 2. Texas recorded zero COVID-19 fatalities on Sunday for the first time since it began tracking deaths from coronavirus. Now, testing is widespread, so while the 16,864 new infections recorded by Johns Hopkins University on Sunday are still likely an undercount, it's probably much closer to the real figure. Texas Governor Greg Abbott (left) lifted the state's mask mandate on March 2. Daily vaccinations have slowed nationwide, but already enough people seem to be inoculated to drive cases and deaths down considerably in Texas and every state.

Source: The Nation May 17, 2021 17:03 UTC