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AFP
States like Florida are experiencing infection rates not seen since April
The United States posted a daily high of 40,000 coronavirus infections on Thursday, figures from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) show.
A recent increase in infections and hospitalizations has led some states and cities to pause reopening plans.
The previous JHU high of 36,400 was on April 24, when fewer tests were conducted.
The United States has 2.4 million confirmed infections and 122,370 deaths, more than any other country.
While part of the increase in daily reported cases is due to increased testing, the rate of positive testing in some areas is also increasing.
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Health officials in the US estimate that the actual number of cases is likely to be 10 times greater than the reported number.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said that up to 20 million Americans may have been infected with coronavirus. The estimate was based on blood samples collected from around the country that were analyzed for the presence of antibodies against the virus.
The increase in cases was fueled by young people who tested positive, especially in the southern and western United States, said CDC chief Dr. Robert Redfield.
What’s going on in Texas?
The state, which has been at the forefront of measures to end the blockade measures, has seen thousands of new cases, prompting Republican Governor Greg Abbott to temporarily suspend its reopening.
“This temporary pause will help our state corner the spread until we can safely enter the next phase of opening our state for business,” he said.
- Texas confirmed a record 5,996 new cases on Thursday.
- There were also 47 new deaths, the highest daily number in a month.
- The state has also seen a record number of people requiring hospital treatment for 13 days in a row
- Elective surgery has been suspended in the Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio areas to free beds
- More than 10% of tests carried out in the past week have tested positive
- All but 12 of the state’s 254 counties have reported cases
Other states, such as Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wyoming, have seen record daily increases in the number of confirmed cases this week.
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The University of Washington predicts 180,000 deaths in the US by October, or 146,000 if 95% of Americans wear masks.
The European Union is reportedly considering banning American citizens from entering the bloc as it considers how to reopen its external borders.
