Coronavirus tally: CDC plans to revamp after criticism for its handling of pandemic as U.S. approaches 1 million official deaths

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning to revamp itself following a one-month review by an outside senior federal health official, according to its head, Dr. Rochelle Walensky. The move comes after criticism of the agency for its handling of the pandemic, and in particular for issuing confusing guidance over masking, isolation and quarantine, and for apparently changing tack repeatedly. The CDC botched the initial rollout of tests, which were faulty and had to be changed. It later flipflopped on face mask wearing and was late to understanding that the virus was airborne. "As we've challenged our state and local partners, we know that now is the time for CDC to integrate the lessons learned into a strategy for the future," Walensky said in a statement, as reported by Reuters. The U.S. is averaging 27,573 cases a day, according to a New York Times tracker, down 6% from two weeks ago. But cases are rising in states in the Northeast and South as the BA.2 omicron subvariant is spreading fast. The country is averaging 15,692 hospitalizations a day, down 27% from two weeks ago. The daily death toll has fallen below 700 to 633. On a global basis, total cases rose above 493.9 million and total deaths are above 6.17 million, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University, with the U.S. still leading the way with 81.5 million cases and 997,129 deaths.

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