The changes followed the pleas of health officials warning the 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, in amid an already devastating crisis across the country.
Already, nearly half of US states halted their reopening plans as new coronavirus cases rose to record numbers in recent weeks. City and state leaders attributed some of that increase to youth group meetings.
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 129,676 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.
Fourth of July crowds
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.
“It seems pretty regular for July 4 with 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.
Record 34-state increase in new cases
Coronavirus cases are on the rise in 34 states over 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 tend: 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 State, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Cases are constant in 13 states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.
Florida sets historical record
Florida set an all-time record for most coronavirus cases in a single day on Saturday, 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.
Florida reported 18 deaths on Saturday.
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.
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.”
CNN Alta Spells Nicky Robertson, Jason Hoffman, Jeremy Diamond, Chuck Johnston, Kay Jones and Ganesh Setty contributed to this report.
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