(Newser)
– Florida reported a record number of coronavirus cases on Saturday, the latest sign that the virus is emerging in many parts of the U.S., making the July 4 celebrations pale, the AP reports. Officials and health authorities have warned people to take precautions or simply stay home on Independence Day, as confirmed cases are on the rise in 40 states. The United States set another daily record on Friday with 52,300 recently reported infections, according to the count maintained by Johns Hopkins University which is believed to be a low count. Florida reported 11,445 confirmed infections on Saturday, bringing the state total to more than 190,000, figures that approach or even exceed New York’s “disastrous peak of cases” this spring, according to the Daily Beast.
Alabama this week also set a record for reported infections in one day, with more than 1,700 new confirmed cases recorded on Thursday, and state health officials fear the holiday weekend may lead to the type of spike that followed the weekend. of Memorial Day. “I am really very concerned about the Fourth of July,” said Dr. Don Williamson, a former state health official who now heads the Alabama Hospital Association. “I think that will probably determine Alabama’s trend for the rest of the summer.” The sobering updates came as local officials and health experts across the country tried to minimize opportunities for the virus to continue spreading on a holiday weekend that was usually spent swimming, eating at backyard gatherings, or cramming with Side by side to see parades and fireworks shows.
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