COVID-19 live updates: New York delays booster mandate for health care workers

(NEW YORK) — As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.8 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 935,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

About 64.7% of the population in the United States is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:

Feb 21, 12:51 pm
US daily death average falls below 2,000 for first time in a month

The daily average of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. fell below 2,000 for the first time in nearly a month over the weekend.

In the last week, the average has declined by about 15.3% to approximately 1,920 virus-related deaths every day.

Although the average remains high, experts say deaths are a lagging indicator and the country may finally see sharp drops after several weeks of increases.

Additionally, the daily average of COVID-19 cases has fallen to 103,000 per day, reaching its lowest average since early December.

Since the country’s peak in early January, the average of new infections in the U.S. has dropped by 87%.

Feb 21, 12:19 pm
Justin Bieber tests positive for COVID, cancels shows

Justin Bieber has tested positive for COVID-19, his manager, Scooter Braun, confirmed Sunday.

It comes just two days after the 27-year-old singer kicked off his world tour “Justice” in San Diego Friday that had been rescheduled from 2021.

“Rest up Justin. Excited to see you back doing what you love,” Braun wrote on Instagram.

Bieber was forced to cancel a show in Las Vegas Sunday, which has been rescheduled for June 28, 2022, as well as a Tuesday show in Glendale, Arizona, for June 30.

“Justin is of course hugely disappointed, but the health and safety of his crew and fans is always his number one priority,” a statement read.

“The tour launch in San Diego was a massive success, and Justin is excited to bring this spectacular show to his … fans as soon as possible,” the statement continued.

Feb 21, 10:50 am
COVID infection rate at Winter Olympics was 0.01%

The COVID-19 infection rate at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was 0.01%, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said Monday.

Since Jan. 23, more than 1.8 million COVID tests were performed, and 437 people tested positive, according to a press release.

Of those positive tests, 98 were among athletes, 87 were among team officials and the remaining 252 were among “stakeholders.”

Bach said in a statement that the closed-loop system used by the Games “has been one of the safest places on this planet, if not the safest.”

“The message to the world is that, if everybody is respecting the rules in solidarity, you can even have such a great event like the Olympic Games under the terms of a pandemic,” the statement continued.

Feb 21, 9:45 am
Australia reopens its borders after nearly two years

Australia welcomed back international travelers Monday after the country reopened its borders for the first time in nearly two years.

The country had banned most non-residents without travel exemptions from visiting since March 2020.

“From 21 February 2022, all visa holders who are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes can travel to Australia without a travel exemption,” according to a statement from the government’s Department of Home Affairs.

“Unvaccinated visa holders will still need to be in an exempt category or hold an individual travel exemption to enter Australia,” the statement continued.

According to Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan, 56 international flights will arrive in Australia Monday, including from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Japan.

Feb 21, 7:24 am
New York delays booster mandate for health care workers

New York health officials announced the state will delay enforcement of its booster requirement for health care workers in an effort to avoid potential staffing issues.

The mandate had been scheduled to go into effect on Monday.

“While we are making progress with 75% of staff received or are willing to receive their booster, the reality is that not enough healthcare workers will be boosted by next week’s requirement in order to avoid substantial staffing issues in our already overstressed healthcare system,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said in a statement on Friday. “That is why we are announcing additional efforts to work closely with healthcare facilities and ensure that our healthcare workforce is up to date on their doses.”

In three months, the state will reassess whether additional steps will be needed to increase booster uptake among healthcare workers, officials said. The original vaccination requirement for healthcare workers remains in effect.

“The vaccine and booster are critical tools to keep both healthcare workers and their patients safe, and we continue to urge everyone to get vaccinated and receive a booster dose when eligible,” Bassett said.

The state said it will work closely with hospitals to increase booster rates among healthcare workers.

-ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulous

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