Coronavirus tally: Global cases of COVID-19 top 230.6 million, CDC head breaks with agency to recommend boosters for at-risk workers
The global tally for the coronavirus-borne illness climbed above 230.6 million on Friday, while the death toll rose to 4.73 million, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. continues to lead the world with a total of 42.7 million cases and 684,357 deaths. The U.S. is averaging more than 2,000 deaths a day, according to a New York Times tracker, the most since late February. Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended a meeting Thursday with a vote to offer vaccine boosters to people 65 and older and those aged 50 to 64 who are at risk of severe illness, as the Associated Press reported. It offered the option to give younger adults with weak immune systems a booster too, while stressing that getting unvaccinated people to get their first shots remains a priority. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of the CDC, overruled the panel by recommending boosters also be given to front line workers, the New York Times reported. India is second by cases after the U.S. at 33.6 million and has suffered 446,368 deaths. Brazil has second highest death toll at 592,964 and 21.3 million cases. In Europe, Russia has most fatalities at 198,644, followed by the U.K. at 136.156.
Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.