The Johns Hopkins COVID Dashboard for Monday, December 21, at 5:22 a.m.:

Worldwide cases: 76,975,940       Worldwide deaths:   1,695,606

U.S. cases: 17,860,634     U.S. deaths: 317,729

According to the Dashboard, the reported worldwide case report increased by 538,430 in the last 24 hours.  Deaths worldwide increased by 7,244.

According to the Johns Hopkins Dashboard, the United States has added 193,089 cases in the last 24 hours.  COVID-19 cases are increasing at a relentless rate on the mainland.

In the last day, the number of people who have died in the U.S. from  COVID-19 increased by 1,431.

Hospitalizations of people with severe cases of COVID-19 around the country have been growing at a steady rate.  The COVID Tracking Project reports that 113,929 people were hospitalized nationwide with COVID-19 as of yesterday.

Two vaccines have now been approved by the FDA and the CDC, although federal health officials say it will be into summer of 2021 before everybody can get the vaccine.  But there is hope, now, for controlling the virus.  However, mask-wearing and distancing is still critically important.