Coronavirus tally: Daily cases in U.S. fall below 40,000 for first time in 6 months; Japan travel restrictions are lifted

Japan welcomed a flood of tourists on Tuesday as pandemic-related travel restrictions in place for more than two years were lifted, the AP reported. The good news in Japan comes as the seven-day average for new COVID cases fell to 38,855 on Monday, down 26% from two weeks ago and the first count below the 40,000 mark since April 18, according to a New York Times tracker. Only five states saw daily cases rise from two weeks ago, led by Maine at 15% and Colorado at 9%. Hospitalizations fell 10% from two weeks to a five-month low of 26,380, while those in intensive care units fell to a four-month low of 3,130. The daily average for deaths was 379, down 9% from two weeks ago.