COVID-19 updates: US cases at lowest point since Christmas

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak on Thursday announced an immediate end to the state’s indoor mask mandate -- including for schools -- citing a rapid decline in cases and a drop in hospitalizations.

"Teachers & schools will no longer be required to wear masks but school districts will need to work with their local health authorities to have plans in place to deal with outbreaks," the governor tweeted.

He added, "Employers and organizations, including school districts, may set their own policies, and I encourage them to work with their employees and communities to ensure that policies are in place."

Masks in Nevada will only be required on public transit per federal law, or in special facilities like hospitals or long-term care facilities.

-ABC News' Matthew Fuhrman

More than 80,000 Americans have died this year due to COVID-19. In just the last week, 16,100 Americans have died of the virus, according to federal data.

Even as hospitalizations continue to fall, COVID deaths continue to average around 2,300 per day, data provided by HHS and the CDC show. This is still below the peak average number of daily deaths which reached 3,400 deaths a day last winter.

Mississippi currently holds the highest seven-day death rate in the U.S., followed by Virginia and South Carolina, according to federal data.

On average, nearly 12,700 Americans are being admitted to hospitals each day for COVID, down 24.5% in the last week, federal data shows.

Charles, Prince of Wales, tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday morning, according to a spokesperson for Clarence House, his official London residence.

The 73-year-old heir apparent to the British throne "is now self-isolating" and "is deeply disappointed not to be able to attend today's events in Winchester and will look to reschedule his visit as soon as possible," the spokesperson said.

It's the second time that Charles has contracted COVID-19. He previously tested positive in March 2020, early on in the pandemic before vaccines were available, but he had mild symptoms.

Both the Prince of Wales and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, a Clarence House spokesperson has said.

The couple attended a British Asian Trust event at the British Museum in London on Wednesday night, along with hundreds of other guests, including several British politicians such as Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Health Secretary Said Javid. Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest manufacturer of vaccines, was also in attendance.

-ABC News' Zoe Magee

Washington became the latest state Wednesday to announce it will be easing mask requirements.

Gov. Jay Inslee said the state's outdoor mask mandate will be lifted on Feb. 18, and he will provide a date next week on when the indoor mask mandate will end.

The state health department has required that everyone ages 5 and older wear a mask at indoor public settings, as well as at outdoor events with 500 or more attendees, regardless of vaccination status.

The announcement comes as COVID-19 cases have been declining rapidly in the state.