Millions of Americans marked a very different Independence Day this year, and many chose virtual celebrations or canceled plans entirely amid growing concern about the coronavirus pandemic.
© John Minchillo / AP
Revelers enjoy the beach at Coney Island on Saturday, July 4, 2020, in the Brooklyn district of New York. (AP Photo / John Minchillo)
The changes followed pleas from health officials that Christmas crowds and crowded gatherings like those the United States witnessed over Memorial Day weekend are likely to lead to further spikes in coronavirus cases.
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Almost half of the US states have halted their reopening plans as new coronavirus cases rose to record numbers in recent weeks.
Both municipal and state leaders attributed part of that increase to meetings, particularly among younger people.
At least 19 states now have masking mandates to help slow the spread of infections, as new research suggests that a new form of the virus has spread from Europe to the U.S.
The mutation makes the coronavirus more likely to infect people, but it does not make patients sicker than previous variations.
These are the states that require masks.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now projecting that the country will see nearly 148,000 coronavirus deaths by the end of the month. So far, at least 129,718 Americans have died and more than 2.8 million have been infected, according to Johns Hopkins University.
And while many cities have taken measured approaches to celebrating July 4, images emerging from the holiday weekend show that not everyone takes the warnings seriously.
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Fourth of July crowds
Crowds flocked to the shores of Virginia Beach on Saturday, even after the city canceled its holiday fireworks display to “help keep Virginia Beach safe from the coronavirus pandemic.” WAVY, a CNN affiliate, reported that municipal authorities warned residents of additional traffic due to the holiday, adding that they anticipated that tens of thousands of people would visit Virginia Beach.
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware saw similar scenes when beach lovers chose to celebrate Saturday by the water. Earlier this week, the state governor announced that Delaware beach bars would be closed for the holiday weekend.
Meanwhile, in California, where many beaches in the southern part of the state closed during the holiday weekend, crowds on San Diego’s beaches recalled years past. KSWB, a CNN affiliate, reported that many were not socially estranged or wearing masks.
“It seems pretty regular for the Fourth of July with definitely a lot of people,” Marine Safety Lt. Rich Stropky told the branch.
Masks and social distancing were also features that were absent from the July 4 celebration at the White House. The tables in the south garden of the White House were somewhat separated, with approximately six chairs per table.
And as people tried to beat the July heat, many congregated in the shaded areas of space, without distancing themselves at all.
Florida sets historical record
Florida reported 9,999 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday. That happened a day after the state set a record for most cases on a single day with a total of 11,458 new cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
The state has now surpassed New York’s previous single-day high of 11,434, which was recorded in mid-April.
Despite the rapid increase in cases and warnings from officials that Florida may be the nation’s new epicenter, the governor has said he does not plan to return to the reopening measures.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber told CNN that the capacity of the hospital in his city is decreasing. In the past two weeks, he said, hospitalizations have doubled.
“Too many people are obviously not taking all of these warnings seriously to distance themselves socially, wear masks, all of those things,” Gelber said.
On Sunday, FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that it was “too early to say” whether it would be safe for the Republican convention to be held in Florida next month.
“We will have to see how this unfolds in Florida and across the country,” said Hahn, a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
Much of the convention will take place in Jacksonville, which was chosen by the president’s reelection team after discussing with North Carolina officials about social distancing requirements. The convention was originally to be held in Charlotte, but now only a small part will take place there.
Record 34-state increase in new cases
Coronavirus cases are on the rise in 34 states in the past week, with 12 registering an increase of more than 50%, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Three states, Kentucky, New Hampshire and Vermont, report a decrease in cases.
These are the states where cases are on the rise: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana , Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
“We open too early in Arizona,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, a Democrat, told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. She attributed much of the “blast” in cases to people between the ages of 20 and 44.
“We are seeing a lot of people go to big family gatherings and infect their relatives,” Gallego said.
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In Texas, there were 8,258 new cases of Covid-19, according to the latest data released by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). That marks the second-highest number of reported cases in a day from the state. The previous record was set on July 1, when 9,308 new cases were reported.
Hospitals in at least two Texas counties have reached full capacity.
In Starr County, at least two patients had to be transferred out of the area to receive treatment.
“Local and valley hospitals are at full capacity and no more beds are available. I urge all of our residents to take shelter on the spot, cover their faces, practice social distancing and AVOID MEETINGS,” said Judge Eloy Vera.
In Hidalgo County, Judge Richard Cortez asked residents to shelter-in-place and “only call 911 if absolutely necessary.”
Cases are constant in 13 states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.
121 college students test positive in Washington
Outbreaks have emerged across the country, including at the University of Washington in Seattle, where 121 students tested positive, according to a joint press release from the university and the Seattle and King County Department of Public Health.
Of these, 112 are residents of fraternity houses on Greek Row in the northern section of the campus, according to the statement. Students who tested positive but are not residents of the houses are close contacts.
On July 3, the student-led governing board for the UW fraternities reported that at least 117 residents living in 15 fraternity houses self-reported positive results, according to the statement.
News of the infected students could indicate what many universities across the country are facing as they prepare for the fall semester and outline plans for campus housing.
In northern Georgia, an unspecified number of summer camp counselors and campers tested positive for Covid-19 after a counselor first confirmed positive on June 24, according to Lauren Koontz, CEO and president of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. The counselor was immediately dispatched home and both Camp High Harbor locations were closed.
“We have since learned of additional positive results from the Covid-19 test from campers and staff,” Koontz said in a statement, “but we cannot confirm a number.”
Koontz noted that while preparing for camp, the Metro Atlanta YMCA collaborated with CDC and the American Association of Camps, in addition to following the guidelines outlined by the state.
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