Early detection, better science and improved covid-19 care are paying off.

Our county covid-19 fatality rate was 8 deaths over the last 7 days.

Only 3 deaths were reported Sunday, and county cases averaged less than 34 a day over the last week.

New cases appear to be falling elsewhere in the US as federal officials and drugmakers prepare a possible vaccine introduction.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, the 7-day average of new US cases last week was the lowest since July 7 at 52,182.

It was also lower than the country’s 14-day average of about 53,846, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Johns Hopkins data.

7-day averages lower than 14-day averages suggest a drop in cases.

A good sign

The Department of Health and Environmental Control Tuesday announced:

• 691 new confirmed cases and 15 probable cases.

• 57 more deaths. Only 9 were the day before. 48 death reports were delayed.

• Total confirmed cases to date were 106,574, probable cases 1,098, 2,230 confirmed deaths and 113 probable deaths.

•3,716 individual test results were reported Tuesday statewide. Of them, 18.6% tested positive as infected.

That means 81.4% tested negative as uninfected.

Another good sign

Consumer shopping surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

Sales at service stations, stores, restaurants and online rose 1.2%, the Commerce Department said.

That was the 3rd consecutive monthly gain as many businesses reopened.

Sales were 1.7% higher than February, the month before the pandemic shut down the economy.

Consumers bought electronics, appliances, health products and ate out more.

Facing a congressional deadlock, President Trump has acted to replace the expired $600-a-week jobless benefits with $300 a week.

Economists expect a rebound this quarter with an 18.3% annual growth rate.