The seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases rose to 108,215 on Monday from 102,818 on Sunday, and has increased 1% from two weeks ago, according to a New York Times Tracker. That marks the fourth-straight day that the daily average of new cases topped the 100,000 mark, but the the number had remained fairly steady for the past six weeks. Meanwhile, the daily average for hospitalizations was 31,720 on Monday, up 6% in two weeks and the highest number since March 9. Hospitalizations have increased every day since April 18. The daily average for deaths rose 3% from two weeks ago to 333 on Monday, but has held relatively steady for the past two months. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is meeting Tuesday to determine whether it should order a formula change for boosters, ahead of expected surge in cases in the fall. On the bright side, China said Tuesday that it will loosen quarantine requirements for international travelers entering the company, amid increased pressure for the country to ease its zero-COVID policy, as Dow Jones Newswires reported.
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