- Angry French cognac makers see red over Chinese tariffs threat
- Protect the prosciutto: Italy battles swine fever
- UN holds 'Summit of the Future' to tackle global crises
- Marxist leader set to become Sri Lanka's next president
- From blades to pull-up bars: UK charity tackles knife crime
- Swiss vote on pensions and environment protections
- No pain, no gain: Chinese pro wrestlers fight for recognition
- UAE leader seeks to deepen 'strategic' ties in US visit during Mideast crisis
- Hezbollah takes heavy hits but still fighting Israel
- Floods, landslides hit central Japan months after major quake
- All Blacks coach Robertson demands better finishing
- Argentina edge South Africa to keep title hopes alive
- Biden says China 'testing us,' in hot mic remarks to Quad allies
- Dubois destroys Joshua to retain IBF world heavyweight crown
- Guardiola says critics want Man City wiped 'from face of the Earth'
- Biden says 'Quad' is 'here to stay' despite challenges
- Dubois knocks out Joshua to retain IBF world heavyweight crown
- Vinicius helps 'faster' Madrid overturn stubborn Espanyol
- Zelensky to press US on long-range missile strikes inside Russia
- PSG drop first points in draw at Reims
- Vinicius, Mbappe on target as Madrid crush plucky Espanyol
- Jeeno leads Ko by two at LPGA Queen City Championship
- Bottega Veneta goes for 'E.T.' chic as Madonna pops into D&G
- Messi, Miami frustrated by New York late leveler
- Musk's X platform takes first step toward lifting Brazil ban
- 'Business as usual' for Australia match-winner Carey amid boos
- Israeli jets pound Lebanon after deadly Beirut strike
- Ten Hag bemoans Man Utd's lack of killer instinct in Palace stalemate
- France's Macron appoints new government in shift to right
- Cheika proud of Leicester grit after winning start as boss
- Profligate Man Utd pay price in 0-0 draw at Palace
- Kane, Olise run riot as Bayern thump Bremen
- Diaz fires Liverpool top of Premier League, Man Utd held at Palace
- LIV champion Rahm out of LIV Team semis with severe flu
- Slot surprised by tearful Nunez's moment of magic
- Title rivals Norris, Verstappen on 'cool' front row for Singapore GP
- Biden talks China with 'Quad' leaders in hometown summit
- Juve and Napoli play out goalless draw in early Serie A title tussle
- Alcaraz fears tennis tour grind will 'kill us'
- Carey sparks recovery as Australia thrash England in 2nd ODI
- Leclerc, Sainz lament 'disappointing' Saturday in Singapore
- Bottega Veneta holds investors' aces as Madonna pops into D&G
- Beirut digs for victims at building flattened in Israeli strike
- Verstappen stages protest over 'ridiculous' swearing punishment
- Bayern boss Kompany lauds 'special talent' Olise
- Diaz fires Liverpool top of Premier League, Spurs bounce back
- Heavy fire over Israel-Lebanon border after deadly Beirut strike
- Ramos guides unbeaten Toulouse to Montpellier win despite Hogg scuffle
- Myanmar flood death toll jumps to 384
- Chelsea owners 'happy' with win at West Ham amid rift report
Five figures on Covid-19 in the United States
Though daily life has long returned to near-normal for many in the United States, the official end of the Covid-19 health emergency Thursday night still marks a new post-pandemic era for the country.
Here are five key statistics about the pandemic in the United States, which has seen the most coronavirus deaths -- in absolute numbers -- of any country in the world.
- Three years of health emergency -
A state of emergency was first declared in the United States in January 2020, more than three years ago.
Authorities have spent months preparing for its eventual May 11 end.
Covid vaccines and treatments, such as anti-viral drug Paxlovid, will mostly remain covered under public and private health insurance plans after the emergency ends, though policies for reimbursing test purchases vary.
Other anti-Covid health measures were wrapped up this month as well, including vaccine requirements for US officials and foreign visitors arriving by air.
- More than 100 million cases -
US health authorities have recorded more than 104 million Covid cases since the virus began spreading in the country.
But that number is almost certainly an underestimation, especially after the introduction of at-home tests, the results of which are usually not reported to any official count.
The country has seen case numbers ebb and flow several times in the last three years, with the most dramatic wave of infections coming with the arrival of the Omicron variant in the winter of 2022, when there were up to 5.5 million new cases in just one week.
Now, there are around 77,000 new cases registered per week.
- 1.1 million deaths -
More than 1.1 million people have died of Covid in the United States, making it the country with the most known pandemic deaths by absolute numbers.
Elderly people, especially those over 75, are at highest risk.
Currently, about 1,100 people are dying of the novel coronavirus every week in the United States.
- 670 million vaccine doses -
After the first Covid-19 vaccine was granted emergency authorization in December 2020, a gargantuan inoculation campaign was begun.
More than 676 million doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the United States, according to health authorities, with nearly 70 percent of the population having received a full initial series.
But ongoing adherence to booster schedules and updates has flagged: Only 17 percent of the US population is fully caught up on all available doses.
- 22 million employees fired... then hired -
Beyond health repercussions, the pandemic also had a considerable effect on the American economy.
Between March and April 2020, some 22 million people lost their jobs.
Employment levels only returned to pre-pandemic last summer -- nearly two and half years after the emergency began.
M.Fischer--AMWN