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.
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.
Latest headlines:
CDC 'working to update' mask guidance 'soon': Walensky
Asked if Americans should follow the CDC's mask guidance or their state or city's rules, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said Monday, "We still recommend indoor masking in public settings that have areas of high transmission … and right now that's over 98% of our counties."
But case are "dropping fast," Walensky told Andy Slavitt, former senior adviser to the Biden administration's COVID response team, on his podcast "In the Bubble."
"We are working to update our guidance soon," Walensky said.
-ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett
Carnival Cruise Line eases mask mandates
Carnival has joined Royal Caribbean and Norwegian in easing mask mandates onboard cruises, announcing that masks will be recommended, but not required beginning March 1.
Norwegian previously announced it will drop its mask requirement for vaccinated passengers starting March 1. Royal Caribbean said it will reopen indoor mask-free areas for fully vaccinated travelers on Feb. 14.
-ABC News' Mina Kaji
Moderna researching combination vaccine for COVID booster, flu shot, RSV vaccine
Moderna said it's in the early stages of research for a combination vaccine that would combine three vaccines into one: a COVID-19 booster, a flu vaccine and an RSV vaccine.
There is no current vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, a virus that causes mild symptoms in most adults but can be deadly for older adults and young children. This new study will only test the vaccine in adults over 60.
The CDC estimates RSV kills 14,000 Americans over 65 each year.
-ABC News' Sony Salzman
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.
"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
New York delays booster mandate for health care workers
New York health officials announced the state will delay enforcement of its booster requirement for health care workers in an effort to avoid potential staffing issues.
The mandate had been scheduled to go into effect on Monday.
"While we are making progress with 75% of staff received or are willing to receive their booster, the reality is that not enough healthcare workers will be boosted by next week's requirement in order to avoid substantial staffing issues in our already overstressed healthcare system," State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said in a statement on Friday. "That is why we are announcing additional efforts to work closely with healthcare facilities and ensure that our healthcare workforce is up to date on their doses."
In three months, the state will reassess whether additional steps will be needed to increase booster uptake among healthcare workers, officials said. The original vaccination requirement for healthcare workers remains in effect.
"The vaccine and booster are critical tools to keep both healthcare workers and their patients safe, and we continue to urge everyone to get vaccinated and receive a booster dose when eligible," Bassett said.
The state said it will work closely with hospitals to increase booster rates among healthcare workers.
-ABC News' Arielle Mitropoulous