Coronavirus infections continue to plummet across the U.S.

Why it matters: Experts have warned many times over the past year that it wouldn’t be safe to rush back into pre-pandemic life without containing the virus. Now, though, the U.S. is finally containing the virus.

By the numbers: The U.S. averaged about 30,000 cases per day over the past week.

• The progress is happening remarkably fast, and across the board.
• It was just last week that average daily cases dropped below 40,000, for the first time in months. This week’s figures are a 20% improvement over last week.
• 39 states saw their caseloads improve over the past week.
• Alabama showed an increase in new cases, although the state had some unusual reporting glitches this week.
• Technically, cases also increased in Washington, D.C., but it’s no cause for alarm: The District has fewer new cases per day (about 48, on average) than any state.

What’s next: This is all happening because of the vaccines. The more people get vaccinated, the better it’ll get.