COVID-19 updates: US daily death average falls below 2,000 for 1st time in month

The average declined by 15.3% to 1,920 virus-related deaths every day.

Last Updated: February 22, 2022, 9:49 AM EST

As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.9 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 938,000 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.

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Feb 22, 2022, 6:25 AM EST

Queen Elizabeth cancels virtual engagements

Buckingham Palace on Tuesday canceled some of Queen Elizabeth's virtual engagements, saying the monarch continues to have mild COVID symptoms. 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II smiles during a reception in the Ballroom of Sandringham House, the Queen's Norfolk residence, as she celebrates the start of the Platinum Jubilee, Feb. 5, 2022
Joe Giddens/POOL/AFP via Getty Images, FILE

"As Her Majesty is still experiencing mild cold like symptoms she has decided not to undertake her planned virtual engagements today, but will continue with light duties," palace officials said in a statement.

The palace announced on Sunday that the Queen, 95, tested positive. 

-ABC News' Zoe Magee

Feb 21, 2022, 4:29 PM EST

New Zealand will only lift COVID restrictions 'well beyond' omicron peak, prime minister says

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday the country will only lift COVID-19 restrictions when it is "well beyond" the omicron peak.

During a Post-Cabinet press conference, Ardern said COVID-19 cases are expected to double every three to four days with a peak expected in mid-to-late March.

“It’s likely then that, very soon, we will all know people who have COVID or we will potentially get it ourselves,” she said.

Restrictions currently include unvaccinated people not being allowed to enter restaurants and bars, students being required to wear masks and events such as weddings being limited to 100 guests, or 25 guests if there are unvaccinated people in attendance.

In this Jan. 23, 2022, file photo, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during a press conference at Parliament, in Wellington, New Zealand.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images, FILE

Ardern also addressed protesters who have been occupying the grounds of the parliament building over the last week in protest of COVID rules.

"Everyone is over COVID. No one wants to live with rules or restrictions. But had we not all been willing to work together to protect one another, then we all would have been worse off as individuals, including losing people we love," she said.

Ardern continued, "We all want to go back to the way that life was, and we will, I suspect sooner than you think. But when that happens, it will be because easing restrictions won't compromise the lives of thousands of people, not because you demanded it."

Feb 21, 2022, 3:24 PM EST

Maui ends vaccination requirement for indoor restaurants and gyms

Maui announced Monday it is ending its requirement for people to be fully vaccinated to enter indoor restaurants and other businesses.

"Beginning February 21, 2022, proof of vaccination or testing will no longer be required for indoor service at restaurants and bars," according to a statement on the island's website.

People using fitness centers and gyms will also not need to know show proof of vaccination.

This makes Oahu the last island in Hawaii to still require people to be fully vaccinated to enter restaurants, bars and gyms.

However, the County of Maui still requires masks to be worn indoors, and out-of-state travelers must show proof of vaccination to avoid a mandatory five-day quarantine.

Feb 21, 2022, 1:52 PM EST

Boris Johnson announces end of remaining COVID restrictions in England

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Monday the end of all remaining COVID-19 restrictions in England.

This includes the requirement that people who test positive for COVID-19 self-isolate, and officials will no longer perform contact tracing.

People who do contract the virus will still be advised to stay home, but they will not receive any financial support from the government for missing work, a measure that was introduced during the pandemic.

Additionally, free lab PCR tests will only be available to the elderly and the immunocompromised while free rapid tests will no longer be distributed by the government.

PHOTO: Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves from 10 Downing Street in central London, Feb. 21, 2022.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves from 10 Downing Street in central London, Feb. 21, 2022. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce an end to all pandemic legal curbs in England, insisting it is time to move on despite political opposition and unease from the UN's health agency.
Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images

“We now have sufficient levels of immunity to complete the transition from protecting people with government interventions to relying on vaccines and treatments as our first line of defense,” Johnson said in a speech to the House of Commons.

Johnson acknowledged that the virus "has not gone away," noting that Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for COVID-19 Sunday, but added the country needs to "learn to live with this virus and continue protecting ourselves and others without restricting our freedoms."

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