Covid updates: Biden expanding vaccine eligibility, clearing way for small gatherings on Fourth of July

The U.S. is gradually reopening as new Covid-19 cases continue to improve. More states are lifting capacity restrictions on nonessential businesses and easing mask mandates, resulting in a piecemeal approach to lockdown measures between states and localities. Health experts have warned prematurely easing restrictions could usher in new outbreaks, while others argue governments should adjust policies to anticipate the riskier behavior brought about by warmer weather and pandemic fatigue.
Here are the biggest developments Thursday:
    
Biden signs Covid relief bill, triggering stimulus checks for Americans as soon as this weekend
    Denmark suspends use of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine over reports of blood clots
    Variant in the UK appears to be 64% more deadly than other strains, study finds
    Singapore has not given up on air travel bubble with Hong Kong after postponement
    How Covid tanked the U.S. economy — in charts

The U.S. is recording at least 56,200 new Covid-19 cases and at least 1,430 virus-related deaths each day, based on a seven-day average calculated by CNBC using Johns Hopkins University data.
The following data was compiled by Johns Hopkins University:

    Global cases: More than 118.24 million
    Global deaths: At least 2.62 million
    U.S. cases: More than 29.16 million
    U.S. deaths: At least 529,469

11 Hours Ago
Biden expanding vaccine eligibility, clearing the way for small gatherings by Fourth of July

 A U.S. Army soldier from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, immunizes Jacklina Mendez with the COVID-19 vaccine at the Miami Dade College North Campus on March 09, 2021 in North Miami, Florida.
A U.S. Army soldier from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, immunizes Jacklina Mendez with the COVID-19 vaccine at the Miami Dade College North Campus on March 09, 2021 in North Miami, Florida.
Joe Raedle | Getty Images

In a primetime address to the country Thursday night, President Joe Biden will announce that he is asking states to open Covid-19 vaccines to every adult by May 1, CNBC’s Amanda Macias reports.
The announcement is a major step in the country’s recovery from a year-long pandemic.

A senior administration official said that the announcement does not clear the way for large gatherings, but “it does mean that we can once again have an independence day with small gatherings and celebrations.”
Earlier Thursday, Biden signed into law the $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill.
 

 

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