Per the CDC’s COVID-19 Cases in the U.S. that the FEHBlog tracks, the number of COVID-19 cases crossed the 1.2 million mark and the number of COVID-19 deaths exceeded 70,000 this week. The case mortality rate hit 6% on Thursday after being in the 5 to 6% range for 2 1/2 weeks. Before then the case mortality rate was increasing much faster. So we evidently are plateauing. The Wall Street Journal reports that the leading cause of death in our country remains heart disease. For an even better perspective, check out the CDC’s COVIDView which is released on Fridays.

The Wall Street Journal offers a perspective on State reopening here. The FEHBlog got a kick out of listening too this 20 minute long WSJ podcast on office reopenings titled “Welcome Back to the Office. Your Every Move Will Be Watched.”

The Wall Street Journal also has a regularly updated site on COVID-19 testing and treatments.

Health Payer Intelligence brings us up to date on the Texas v. U.S. case over the Affordable Care Act’s constitutionality. The Supreme Court will hear the case next fall.