Live Updates: US hits grim coronavirus death toll as first vaccines are distributed
Follow below for the latest coronavirus news
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The United States surpassed 300,000 coronavirus deaths on Monday, the same day that saw the first doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine distributed to select health care workers in several states.
As of Monday afternoon, the U.S. had tallied 300,267 coronavirus deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar made several appearances on Monday to mark the momentous occasions in vaccine news, but also used it as an opportunity to warn Americans against letting their guards down.
"We need you to be vigilant, we need you to do that because we want everybody who is here now to be here next year for the holiday season," Azar said. "Now is not the time to let our guard down. This is not the end of our battle against COVID but today marks a critical milestone in the ultimate defeat of COVID-19."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FAST FACTS
- The US surpassed 300,000 coronavirus deaths on Monday
- Several states began administering initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine
- More shipments are expected to arrive in coming days
The nearly 3 million doses of vaccine were shipped hours after the FDA granted the vaccine EUA this weekend.
Workers at a Pfizer plant in Portage, Mich., loaded the first doses onto trucks on Sunday, and UPS and FedEx routed the precious, sub-freezing product across the country. The vaccines were taken from Pfizer’s Portage facility to Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. Trucks departing the Michigan facility were met with cheers Sunday.
Follow below for more coronavirus updates. Mobile users click here.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}