(CNN) More than 1 million people have received their first shot of a Covid-19 vaccine, but an influential coronavirus model projects the US death toll will climb well over a half million, topping 567,000 by April 1. The latest projection from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation notes that number could explode further to 731,000 by April 1 if states ease mandates aimed at containing the novel coronavirus. More than 33,000 lives could be saved by the projected vaccine rollout, the IHME said, and 45,000 could be saved if the rollout were more rapid. Operation Warp Speed has distributed about 9.5 million doses and administered The latest IHME model comes asthe US has put its hopes in the rollout of its recently authorized Covid-19 vaccines. Operation Warp Speed has distributed about 9.5 million doses and administered at least one million doses as of early Thursday , according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Source: CNN December 24, 2020 07:41 UTC