As of February 3, 2021, the United States accounted for 25.4 percent of all COVID-19 cases worldwide, 146 percent higher than the next closest country, and 19.9 percent of all deaths worldwide, more than 98 percent higher than the next closest country, according to data from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The U.S. ranks 77 th out of 173 countries listed in terms of the case fatality rate, recorded deaths to recorded cases, meaning 76 countries have a lower rate. The U.S. ranks 164 th out of 173 countries in deaths per capita, meaning only nine countries have had more deaths per capita. Many of the countries included in the Johns Hopkins figures have had very few cases. While no country can compare to the number of U.S. cases, it is reasonable to narrow the comparative analysis to countries with significant caseloads. There were 33 countries that had experienced at least 500,000 cases as of February 3 rd . Of those 33 countries, the U.S. is tied for sixth best in terms of its case fatality rate but fifth worst in terms of deaths per capita. These figures are presented in graphs on the following pages. As testing programs ramped up in the U.S. and around the world, the per capita number of tests and the positivity rate (percent testing positive for the virus) have become measures of interest. After an abortive start, the U.S. greatly increased the number of tests it performs to track the spread of the virus. While the U.S. has now tested more total people than any other nation, it does not lead the world in per capita testing and still suffers positivity rates much higher than considered desirable by health experts. The graph on page 15 shows the total number of tests per 100,000 residents completed as of February 3 rd for the 15 jurisdictions that have been the most aggressive in testing. The U.S. has the 14 th highest per capita testing rate, slipping from fifth last September, and the third highest rate of positive tests of the 15 countries shown. Only Portugal and Israel have higher rates of positive tests. Spain has tested five times as many residents per capita as the U.S. but has a positivity rate that is nearly six percentage points lower. The U.K., which is still in the midst of a reinstituted shutdown due to a spike in cases, has a per capita testing rate over 75 percent higher than the U.S. but a positivity rate less than half as high. We noted in our September update that the concept of large-scale shutdowns of all but essential activities had been effectively abandoned, even in the areas taking the most aggressive public health mitigation steps. Mask usage has become the primary means of combating public spread, despite acknowledged weaknesses in its effectiveness.
∴ COVID-19 AND CIVIC RESPONSE
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