The US reported a record high of 306 cases of coronavirus variants on Sunday, with the majority concentrated in Florida, Michigan and Texas, USA Today reported.
The new cases included 104 new infections in Florida, for a total of 605 in that state; 85 in Michigan, for a total of 421; and 41 in Texas, for a total of 102. While several new strains are known to circulate in the US, most of the new and existing variant cases are the B.1.1.7. strain that originated in the United Kingdom. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have said the British strain could become the most common in the country in the coming month.
Overall, coronavirus cases declined in February after hitting record highs in January, but there are signs that the decline is slowing or reversing. The majority of states reported a rising number of cases over the past week for the first time in more than a month on Sunday.
Both the variants and the trends come as the US continues to administer the coronavirus vaccine. Over the weekend, Johnson & Johnson began distributing its shot after it received emergency use clearance and became the third vaccine available.
The White House has said Johnson & Johnson will be shooting at distribution sites as early as Tuesday and will distribute millions of the one-time vaccine nationwide over the next week, along with the existing Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. CDC data indicates that just under 50 million Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Anthony Fauci
Anthony Fauci’SNL ‘Suggests Fauci to Host Game Show and Gives Vaccine Winners on Sunday Shows – Trump’s Reentry, COVID-19 Vaccines and Variants Dominate Fauci Explains Timeline for Vaccinating Teens, Children MORE, the country’s leading infectious disease expert, has said the vaccines will be largely effective against emerging mutations.
“If you get a variant that reduces the vaccine’s capacity, if you get a good vaccine … you can’t necessarily get the best possible response, but it’s still in the buffer of effectiveness,” Fauci said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday.