Coronavirus: Reopening Halts for the Surge of COVID-19 in Sunbelt States
At least 10,264,000 coronavirus cases have been detected worldwide, with roughly 2.6 million infections reported in the United States. At least 124,000 Americans have died of complications of covid-19, and the global death count is hovering near 505,000.
As coronavirus cases continue to surge across the Sun Belt, the optimism surrounding ambitious reopening plans is swiftly dissipating. Arizona delayed plans to reopen public schools and ordered bars, gyms, movie theaters and water parks to close on Monday, as the state marked yet another day with a record number of hospitalizations. In Los Angeles County, which is at risk of running out of hospital beds in the next two to three weeks, residents are being urged to “hunker down” in their homes and avoid all unnecessary trips.
The number of people currently hospitalized for covid-19 is surging in seven states, according to data tracked by The Washington Post. In Texas, Arizona, Nevada, South Carolina, Montana, Georgia and California, seven-day averages are up at least 25 percent from last week.
At least 16 states have halted their reopening plans in response to a surge in new infections, but some health officials say the spread of coronavirus will be difficult to control.
“What we hope is we can take it seriously and slow the transmission in these places,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat, the principal deputy director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “But what I think is very discouraging is we’re clearly not at a point where there’s so little virus being spread that it’s going to be easy to snuff out.”
The US has reported more than 2.5 million cases of the virus and at least 126,140 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. State and local leaders have said the rise in cases are in part driven by gatherings, both in homes and in places like bars – which some experts called the perfect breeding ground for the virus.
But experts have for long warned that some states also reopened far too soon and too quickly, cautioning the move could lead to more spikes in cases.
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Lockdowns return for some Australians
The Australian state of Victoria has reimposed lockdown measures in 10 suburbs of Melbourne that appear to be at the center of a new coronavirus outbreak.
The new restrictions come a day after Victoria reported 75 new coronavirus cases, giving Australia its highest single-day rise in infections since April 11. The state’s premier, Daniel Andrews, said Tuesday that “extraordinary steps” were needed to prevent the outbreak from worsening. Starting Thursday at midnight, people in areas deemed to be hotspots will only be allowed to leave their homes for essential activities like work and exercise, or to purchase food and other necessary supplies.
Schools will remain open, since there is “no real evidence” that they have led to a surge in infections, Andrews said.
Arizona rolls back reopening of bars, theaters
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered bars, indoor gyms, indoor movie theaters, water parks and tubing operators to pause operations, as the state sees a surge in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
The order is effective Monday at 8 p.m. local time and will last until July 27, unless extended.
Michael Chow/APArizona Gov. Doug Ducey announces a new executive order in response to the rising COVID-19 cases in the state, during a news conference in Phoenix on Monday, June 29, 2020. The governor… moreArizona Gov. Doug Ducey announces a new executive order in response to the rising COVID-19 cases in the state, during a news conference in Phoenix on Monday, June 29, 2020. The governor ordered bars, nightclubs and water parks to close again for at least a month starting Monday night – a dramatic about-face as coronavirus cases surge in the Sunbelt. Michael Chow/AP Bars can still provide take-out and curbside service.
The state is also delaying the start of the school year to Aug. 17 and prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people. Arizona schools typically open as early as July.
Los Angeles beaches to close July 4th weekend
Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors announced the closure of our beaches, piers, beach bike paths, and beach access points beginning 7/3/2020 through 7/6/2020. The Malibu/Lost Hills Station Beach Team will be patrolling the beaches throughout the weekend and late into the evening. This new order makes it illegal to trespass at these locations and is punishable by law to include, but not limited to, a $1000 fine.
New Jersey backtracks on planned indoor dining reopening
Gov. Phil Murphy announced that New Jersey will pause its reopening of the state’s indoor dining, which was slated for Thursday.
Murphy cited “spikes” in cases in other parts of the country where restrictions on indoor dining were lifted.
“We have been cautious throughout every step of our restart,” he tweeted. “We’ve always said that we would not hesitate to hit pause if needed to safeguard public health. This is one of those times.”
WHO official warns pandemic is not close to over
Officials from the World Health Organization gave strong warnings about the pandemic, telling reporters COVID-19 is “not even close to being over.”
Tuesday marks the six-month anniversary since the organization was first notified about the virus and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said people need to reflect on the progress made and the road ahead.
“None of us could have imagined how our world, and our lives would be thrown into turmoil by this new virus,” he said. “The worst is yet to come,” he said.