Today’s numbers: The COVID economy
As of April 19, 2021 (we’ll update every weekday morning).
U.S. daily COVID-19 deaths, 7-day average: 744 (rising)
U.S. COVID-19 new cases, 7-day average: 69,713 (falling)
COVID vaccine doses administered: 209 million (79% of doses shipped)
Americans 18 or older vaccinated — at least one dose: 50%
U.S. COVID positivity rate, 7-day average: 5.2% (flat)
Inflation since 2001
U.S. hotels under construction (measured in rooms): -11.6% below last year
30-year fixed mortgage, average (Freddie Mac data): 3.04% (falling)
“The leading economic indicator is … the virus.” More than one analyst has put it to us this way. As we try to understand and quantify this unprecedented global economic collapse — and now the attempted restart — we’re following key metrics for COVID-19 and the broader economy.
Keep in mind: The tally of COVID-19 cases represents only the ones that are documented.
Our main trusty sources: World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Johns Hopkins University, Our World in Data (based on WHO data, Covid Tracking (scientist/journalist collaboration), GasBuddy.