Coronavirus Watch: New infections dropping fast after omicron peak

The pace of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. has fallen by more than two-thirds from its peak just weeks ago, data from Johns Hopkins University shows.

Still, the nation is reporting 1.86 million cases a week, and about 2,500 deaths continue to be reported every day. 

Take a look at how cases compare to this time last year with these visuals from the Paste BN graphics team:

It's Tuesday, and this is Coronavirus Watch from the Paste BN Network. Here's more news to know:

• Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Oregon's governors all said Monday they would end mandatory masking in schools by the end of February or March, while Pennsylvania made the decision to remove its statewide mandate last month. 
• Canadian protests over vaccine mandates spilled into the U.S. late Monday when authorities closed the city's massive international suspension bridge as protesters blocked traffic.
• More than 30 athletes at the Beijing Olympics are isolating at facilities in China after testing positive for COVID, organizers said Tuesday. 

See our COVID-19 resource guide here. See total reported cases and deaths here. On vaccinations: About 75% of people in the U.S. have received at least one vaccine shot, and about 64% are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

– Cady Stanton, Paste BN digital editor fellow, @cady_stanton