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According to a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the United States has finally reached a major milestone in slowing the spread of COVID-19. As of May 07, nearly one in three Americans are fully vaccinated, with another 150 million having already received their first vaccine shot.

While the pace of the vaccinations has slowed from its peak, which was 4.6 million daily shots back on April 10, it still signals a success in finally achieving partial immunity within the U.S. Current data shows that 111 million Americans are now fully vaccinated, thanks to a concerted effort from public health workers. With President Joe Biden stating that he would like for 70% of the population to have their first shot by July 04, this report further demonstrates that the U.S. is on track to achieve that goal.

Not All Good News

However, not all news is as optimistic as the CDC data. Another report has been released, albeit one which is considerably more grim. According to a study from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the death toll from coronavirus in the United States may be much higher than initially thought.

Official figures for the death toll estimated that some 574,000 people had died due to COVID-19 in the U.S since the start of the pandemic. However, according to this new report, the number may be significantly greater, at closer to 900,000. This is 57% higher than what had been believed to be the current death toll of the virus in America.

To determine this number, researchers closely analyzed the available information regarding the excess mortality between March 2020 and May 03, 2021. They then compared this data to what could typically be expected during a non-pandemic year. After adjusting those figures to account for other pandemic-related considerations, they discovered that current estimations were dramatically incorrect.

This tally, according to the authors of the study, estimates deaths exclusively "caused directly by the SARS-CoV-2 virus," the virus which has been shown to cause COVID-19 infection in people. Furthermore, these same researchers discovered that estimates in other countries -- including Mexico, Russia, and India (which is currently struggling with its own second wave of the virus) -- may have also been severely underreported.

According to their research, the official death counts may be as high as 400,000 greater than originally believed in these countries. In other countries, such as Egypt, Japan, and other Central Asian nations, the death toll may be as great as 10 times higher than what has been reported by public officials.

Pfizer and BioNTech Seeking FDA Approval

In light of the pandemic, the FDA had authorized the emergency use of the vaccines, including those released by Pfizer and BioNTech. The reasoning was that it was far more important to get the vaccines administered rather than wait for the laborious process of attaining official approval from the FDA.

Nevertheless, both Pfizer and BioNTech have recently made bids to achieve FDA approval, submitting their application on May 07. BioNTech has been a German collaborator, working alongside Pfizer in the race to create a vaccine, and it is believed that both companies will be submitting data to the FDA over the next few weeks in order to earn their approval. They have also requested a priority review.

How long this process will take is currently unknown, but in a prepared statement, Pfizer's CEO Albert Bourla revealed that their ultimate goal is to secure the "full regulatory approval of the vaccine in the coming months" for all people ages 16 and older.

Staying Safe Against the Virus

While many Americans are fully vaccinated, and Pfizer and BioNTech are making strides to become officially approved by the FDA, it does not mean that the virus is no longer a threat. With the death toll as high as it is, it is still especially important to be mindful of the safety protocols in place to help minimize the risk of viral infection.

According to the CDC, safety guidelines are still in place for everyone, including those who have already been vaccinated. While one is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second shot, they should still be sure to enforce social distance and continue to wear their masks. Regular washing of hands has also been shown to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone does suspect that they may have been exposed to coronavirus, it is advised that they self-quarantine for a minimum of two weeks. Many healthcare facilities are offering complimentary or low-cost COVID-19 tests, or an at home COVID test kit can provide fast and accurate results without requiring the breaking of a quarantine. Results can be made available in as little as a few hours, or up to 48 hours with the aid of the home test kit, allowing one to know sooner if they have contracted COVID-19.

While the pandemic has been an incredibly challenging time in the U.S., it is fortunately finally reaching its termination. By continuing to stay safe and mindful about preventing its spread, and by choosing to get the vaccine (for qualified individuals), we can all hope to see an end of this pandemic sooner rather than later.