A record number of new corona infections was identified yesterday in several states in the United States. Yesterday, the total number of infections in the US reached more than 2.5 million, according to Reuters news agency.
In the southern state of Florida, for example, the number of infections has risen sharply, by 9585. Republican state governor Ron DeSantis speaks of a “real explosion” in his state. Florida authorities previously decided to close beaches and impose restrictions on the hospitality industry.
The number of corona infections is also increasing rapidly in other American states. 1990 cases were identified in Georgia. and in Nevada 1099. In South Carolina there were 1604 new infections, also a record. And in Arizona, 3,591 new people with the coronavirus were reported yesterday, just as much as the previous record on Tuesday. This brings the total number of detected infections in that state to over 70,000. Some hospitals in that state have started expanding capacity.
Experts say that the total number of cases is much higher, because people cannot be tested, or because they have little or no symptoms.
Curfew in Texas
Measures were previously announced in Texas, also because of the increase in the number of new contamination cases. Republican Governor Greg Abbott demanded the closure of cafes and restrictions on restaurants: they can use up to 50 percent of the capacity indoors.
In addition, a curfew was introduced yesterday in a town east of the capital, Houston. According to the Mayor Galena Park, this is necessary because of the corona virus. The authorities raised the threat level to the public health situation to the highest level, a sign that the population should stay inside.
Pennies are not coming
Because of the new contamination, Vice President Pence has halted his campaign activities in severely affected areas. Pence would travel to Arizona and Florida next week to campaign, but that is canceled. According to a spokesman for his campaign team, he still travels to the states to speak with governors and doctors there.
Pence, who heads the White House corona team, spoke on Friday comforting words. He said that the spread of the coronavirus has slowed, and the curve has flattened. “We saved lives.” According to him, the situation is different now than it was two months ago. He said the US is better prepared and the country is ready to expand capacity and support healthcare. “But we still have work to do.”
The vice president said the increase can be explained by more testing. But experts say the increase is also due to the easing of the measures. They also say that Americans are less compliant with the rules.
Cinemas are closed in the US, but not all. The Americans are rediscovering a pastime that was extremely popular sixty years ago: the open-air cinema:
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