The United States reached more than 2.5 million confirmed cases of coronavirus on Saturday as several states experience record spikes in infections amid efforts to reopen the economy.
According to a count by Johns Hopkins UniversityAs of Saturday, 2,501,244 tested positive for coronavirus in the United States and 125,435 people died.
Globally, 9,891,727 people tested positive and 496,075 people died.
Since April, the United States has been the most affected country in the world. Public health officials estimate the actual numbers to be much higher, considering that some people who contract the disease are asymptomatic and others lack access to coronavirus testing.
The most recent count in the United States also comes as the nation faces multiple crises: mitigating the coronavirus and confronting police brutality and structural racism. National protests erupted in late May after the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was killed in Minneapolis police custody on Memorial Day.
Coronavirus has also drawn the curtain on racial disparities in health care, as many African-Americans and Hispanics suffer and die from choroanviruses at a higher rate than their white counterparts.
Critical areas in the country have changed since the start of the pandemic in late February.
At first, New York and New Jersey saw massive outbreaks concentrated in the New York City metropolitan area. Local leaders imposed strict social distancing guidelines to stop the spread.
Since then, the area has seen a steady decline in hospitalizations and new confirmed cases.
Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo
Andrew CuomoUS hits 2.5 million coronavirus cases as states hit one-day highs on Sunday shows a preview: With the rise in coronavirus cases, lawmakers and health officials weigh in on Fauci hinting at a new approach to COVID-19 tests MORE (D) reported 703 new confirmed cases, 907 hospitalizations, and 13 deaths on Saturday. On its worst day, April 7, New York reported 703 deaths.
Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona and Florida, among other states, have seen rapids Spikes in cases this month after their reopens. And in California, a state that took early precautions, there has been an increase in infections this month.
Florida on Saturday experienced a record number of coronavirus cases for the third time in four days, counting almost 10,000 infections in a single day. Although Florida is about a third of Italy’s population, it has broken Italy’s record for its worst one-day record, which was just over 6,500 on March 21.
Arizona registered 3,591 new cases Saturday, according to the state department of public health.
Texas recorded more than 5,700 new coronavirus cases on Saturday breaking previous records from previous days.
The increase in cases has led local leaders in some states to back down on their reopening efforts.
Texas and Florida, two of the first states to reopen, ordered bars and some outdoor recreation businesses to close again on Friday. In most of the peaks experienced by the state at this time, the majority of new cases are among young adults.
“What we have seen, particularly over the past week, is a true explosion in new cases among our younger demographics,” said the Florida governor. Ron DeSantis
Ronald Dion DeSantisUS hits 2.5 million coronavirus cases as states hit one-day highs Pence cancels Florida campaign bus tour as state continues to see increase in coronavirus cases Florida sets another one-day record at 9,585 new cases of coronavirus MORE (R) said on Friday.
The increase in cases comes as presidingTrump and members of his administration have tried to overcome the threat of the coronavirus and resume the campaign before the 2020 elections.
The Trump campaign has held indoor demonstrations in Arizona and Oklahoma, going directly against the guidance of public health officials. The public health guide, such as wearing masks and avoiding crowded spaces, particularly indoors, is not enforced by law in most states.
In Arizona, for example, the state recommends wearing masks, but only select city ordinances enforce it. The same is true in Texas cities, where municipalities have clashed with state leaders in mask policies.
Vice President Pence has postponed campaign events in Florida and Arizona “as a precaution” as both states experience an increase in coronavirus cases.
Pence will continue to visit states to meet with public health officials.
Although the U.S. has a larger population than other countries with severe outbreaks, the Trump administration has argued that there are more cases in the United States due to a higher evidence rate.
President Trump
Donald John Trump Four men accused of trying to tear down Andrew Jackson statue in DC Video shows retired workers signs of social estrangement ahead of Trump Tulsa rally: WaPo Biden criticizes Trump for failing to sanction Russia for the intelligence of the “rewards” of Afghan militants MORE He said at a campaign event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last week that he wants the country to run fewer tests so that the infection count is lower.
Administration officials, including the president himself, have said his comments were a joke after the comments sparked a backlash.
“Sometimes I say jokingly, or sarcastically, that if we didn’t do tests we’d look great,” Trump told Sean Hannity during a televised Fox City Hall event on Thursday. “But you know what? It’s not the right thing.”
Anthony Fauci
Anthony FauciUS Reaches 2.5 Million Coronavirus Cases As States Record Day-Highs Arkansas Governor Urges ‘Consistent National Message’ About Mask Use COVID-19 Cases Increase As Trump Ignores Concerns MORE, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert and a leading member of the White House coronavirus task force, he told lawmakers that the country is increasing testing, not decreasing.
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