The rise in Covid cases is expected as states relax pandemic prevention strategies for businesses, large-scale gatherings and schools, and the B.1.1.7 variant, first identified in the U.K., spreads more rapidly throughout the country, the CDC said in the report.

While Covid cases are expected to increase this month, hospitalizations and deaths will likely remain low nationally, the U.S.

agency said, with cases expected to plummet by July as more Americans get vaccinated against the virus.

The rate of daily new infections fell below 50,000 per day over the weekend and continues to decline, according to Johns Hopkins University data, as the latest seven-day average stands at 48,100 cases per day.

adults to receive at least one dose of a Covid vaccine and having 160 million adults fully vaccinated by July 4.

As of Tuesday, more than 145 million Americans age 18 and older, or 56.4% of the total adult population, have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to data compiled by the CDC.

Additionally, the projections were based on data through late March, when Covid cases were on the rebound