The number of new confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. on Thursday hit a new one-day high of more than 50,000, while the infection curve rises in 40 out of 50 states in a reversal that has largely spared only the northeast.
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The number of new confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. on Thursday hit a new one-day high of more than 50,000, while the infection curve rises in 40 out of 50 states in a reversal that has largely spared only the northeast.
In yet another alarming indicator, 36 states are seeing a rise in the percentage of tests that are coming back positive for the virus.
The surge has been blamed in part on Americans not wearing masks or following other physical distancing rules as states were lifting their lockdowns over the past few weeks.
The U.S. recorded 50,700 new cases, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. That represents a doubling of the daily total over the past month and is higher even than what the country witnessed during the deadliest phase of the crisis in April and May. The U.S. now has nearly 2.7 million confirmed cases of coronavirus and has recorded more than 128,000 deaths, the highest toll in the world.
All but 10 states are showing an increase in newly confirmed cases over the past 14 days, according to data compiled by the COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer organization that collects testing information. The outbreaks are most severe in Arizona, Texas and Florida, which together with California have re-closed or otherwise clamped back down on bars, restaurants and movie theaters.
Nebraska and South Dakota were the only states outside the northeast with a downward trend in cases. Governors of U.S. states hit hardest by the resurgent coronavirus halted or reversed steps to reopen their economies on Wednesday, led by California, the nation’s most populous state and a new epicentre of the pandemic.
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The surge in cases comes as Americans head into a Fourth of July holiday weekend that health officials warn could add fuel to the virus by drawing big crowds. Many municipalities have cancelled fireworks displays. Beaches up and down California and Florida have been closed.
Florida reported more than 10,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases for the first time Thursday. That is six times higher than the daily count of less than a month ago. The state also reported 67 deaths for the second time in a week. Deaths per day are up about 30 per cent from two weeks ago.
Several northeastern states have seen new infections slow down significantly, including New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Jersey, which allowed its Atlantic City casinos to reopen Thursday, though with no smoking, no drinking and no eating.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday seemed confident the virus would soon subside, telling Fox Business: “I think that, at some point, that’s going to sort of just disappear, I hope.”
What’s happening with COVID-19 in Canada
As of 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, Canada had 104,654 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases. Provinces and territories listed 68,219 of the cases as recovered or resolved. A CBC News tally of deaths based on provincial reports, regional health information and CBC’s reporting stood at 8,681.
A new mobile app meant to help with contact tracing of COVID-19 cases won’t roll out across Ontario Thursday as planned.
- Canada Day: Big parties give way to online shows amid coronavirus pandemic
- Stage 3 of Ontario’s COVID-19 reopening plan looms nearer
- Up to 70% of Alberta tourism businesses could close without help, report predicts
- Provincial health officer ‘expects’ British Columbians to be wearing masks
- Starting today, masks are mandatory in Côte Saint-Luc’s indoor public spaces
- Launch of COVID-19 contact tracing app in Ontario delayed
The province will be the first to use the COVID Alert app, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said it should be ready for downloading in the rest of the country later this summer.
This comes as large parts of Ontario look to moving to Stage 3 of the province’s COVID-19 reopening plan, with the spread of the coronavirus remaining slow in most public health units.