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Trump Made It Worse: Data Shows States Are Seeing Sharp Rise in Cases, Hospitalizations Because of Forced Reopenings

By June 11, 2020No Comments

Trump Made It Worse: Data Shows States Are Seeing Sharp Rise in Cases, Hospitalizations Because of Forced Reopenings

Daily Beast: Confirmed Coronavirus Infections In The U.S. Top 2 Million As CDC Warns Of 36 Percent A Day Increase

ABC News: In Some States Coronavirus Hospitalizations On The Rise, Experts Point To Lack Of Social Distancing

UAB Health Doctor Jodie Dionne-Odom: “There is clearly a relationship between reopening and the number of cases we are seeing right now.”

Washington Regional Medical System Chief Operating Officer Birch Wright: “We are not seeing more hospitalizations simply because more testing is being done.”

President Trump allowed federal social distancing guidelines to expire at the end of April, and urged governors to push forward with reopening against the advice of experts. Now, as cases are surging across the country, Trump and his allies have tried to pin the blame for the crisis on anything but themselves. 

They blame protests or an increase in testing when the data suggests otherwise: recent increases in infections and hospitalizations are the result of community spread in the wake of a premature reopening. And as states are entering a new phase of this crisis and more than 2 million American are infected, President Trump continues to refuse action that would prevent the loss of life.

National

The U.S. Experienced A 36.5 Percent Jump In Daily Cases While Cases Have Been Dropping In Brazil, Spain, Italy, Germany, And Iran.

  • “In a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention document dated June 9, the U.S. had the highest spike of percentage change in daily cases, with a 36.5 percent jump in recent days. Of the top 10 countries in total cases, that is the biggest spike by a significant margin, compared with drops in cases in Brazil, Spain, Italy, Germany and Iran and growths of under 5 percent in Russia, India and Peru.” [Yahoo News, 6/10/20]

A FEMA Document Shows The Rolling Average Of U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Is Starting To Trend Up Over 1,000 A Day.

  • “A June 9 Federal Emergency Management Agency document shows the same spike in cases. The rolling average of deaths in the U.S., per the FEMA document, is starting to trend up over 1,000 per day.” [Yahoo News, 6/10/20]

Hospitalizations For Coronavirus Are Increasing In At Least Eight States: Arizona, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas And Utah.

  • “Hospitalizations for the novel coronavirus are on the rise in at least eight states, in what experts and officials said was in part an expected consequence of states reopening their economies, but also made worse by some people who have begun to disregard social distancing guidelines and aren’t appropriately wearing masks. The states in which the hospitalization numbers are increasing are Arizona, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah, according to a new analysis by ABC News of public data from the past two weeks.”  [ABC News, 6/11/20]

Washington Post: Trump Announces Rallies In States Where New Infections Are Surging

  • “[Trump’s] first rally in months is set for June 19 in Tulsa, which is located in a county that has reported a gradual uptick of new cases since the beginning of June. The president also mentioned campaign stops in states that have seen sharp increases in new cases and hospitalizations: Florida, Texas, Arizona and North Carolina. Meanwhile, more than a dozen states are showing new highs in the number of positive coronavirus cases or hospitalizations, according to Washington Post data, a few weeks after lifting restrictions on most businesses and large gatherings.” [Washington Post, 6/11/20]

Boston Globe: Coronavirus Hospitalizations Rise Sharply In Several States Following Memorial Day

Fox 10: ‘Pre-Pandemic Behavior’: Surge Of New Coronavirus Cases Reported In 21 States Amid Push To Reopen

Alabama

The Average Number Of New Coronavirus Cases Each Day In Alabama Has Jumped From 250 During Lockdown To Almost 500 In Recent Days. 

  • “The average number of new coronavirus cases each day in Alabama has jumped from about 250 during lockdown to almost 500 in recent days, said Dr. Jodie Dionne-Odom, a specialist in infectious diseases at UAB Health.”  [Alabama Local News, 6/10/20]

Alabama Hospital Association Head Dr. Donald Williamson: “We’re Just Full.”

  • “It’s been three weeks since Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed sounded the alarm over rising hospitalizations in the River Region, but the rise in cases has not slowed, and hospitalizations are now much higher than three weeks ago when Central Alabama was in the national spotlight. ‘We’re just full,’ said Dr. Donald Williamson, a former state health officer and the head of the Alabama Hospital Association. ‘I mean this situation is just not sustainable.’” [Alabama Political Reporter, 6/9/20]

As Of June 9, There Were Only Two Empty Formal Intensive Care Beds In The Montgomery Area’s Major Hospitals.

  • “As of Tuesday morning, there were two empty formal intensive care beds in the major hospitals out of 106 total. Not all ICU patients are COVID-19 patients, and hospitals have been able to treat patients needing ICU care in other areas of the hospital, but the situation is not ideal, Williamson said.” [Alabama Political Reporter, 6/9/20]

UAB Health Doctor Jodie Dionne-Odom: “There Is Clearly A Relationship Between Reopening And The Number Of Cases We Are Seeing Right Now.”

  • “‘We are not surprisingly seeing cases go up as we open,’ Dionne-Odom said. ‘There is clearly a relationship between reopening and the number of cases we are seeing right now.’” [Alabama Local News, 6/10/20]
  • “The number of tests in Alabama has held steady at about 5,000 a day, Dionne-Odom said. So the increase in cases in not tied to a spike in testing.” [Alabama Local News, 6/10/20]

Forbes: Coronavirus Cases Have Risen Over 500% In Alabama’s Capital Since The Start Of May: Report

  • “Over 525%—That’s how much the total coronavirus case count has increased in Montgomery since the start of May, when it had a total of 355 cumulative cases.” [Forbes, 6/9/20]

Alabama Local News: Montgomery Hospitals Alarmed As Coronavirus Cases Keep Climbing

Arizona

Arizona Has Seen A 49 Percent Increase In Hospitalizations Since May 26.

  • “Arizona has seen a 49% increase in hospitalizations in the state since May 26, according to ABC News’ analysis of state data collected by the COVID Tracking Project.” [ABC News, 6/11/20]

Tucson Medical Center Internist Matthew G. Heinz: “We Weren’t Ready To Reopen.”

  • “Matthew G. Heinz, an internist at Tucson Medical Center, attributed the increase directly to a premature reopening. ‘We weren’t ready to reopen. We hadn’t met the criteria set down by the WHO [World Health Organization] or the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] to even begin to look at reopening the state, but political leadership pushed us in that direction,’ Heinz told ABC News. On the ground, Heinz said he could clearly see the increase manifesting.” [ABC News, 6/11/20]
  • Tucson Medical Center Internist Matthew G Heinz: “After the loosening of some restrictions, we are now seeing a surge in hospitalizations, a surge in ICU usage and of course, unfortunately, a surge in the death rate.” [ABC News, 6/11/20]

BuzzFeed News: Health Experts Are Sounding The Alarm About A Coronavirus Surge In Arizona

Associated Press: Arizona Hospitals At 83% Capacity For Inpatient Beds, Elective Surgery May Stop

Arkansas

Arkansas Has Experienced A 74 Percent Increase In Hospitalizations Since Memorial Day Weekend.

  • “Arkansas, for instance, has experienced a 74% increase in average hospitalizations since after the Memorial Day weekend, and one official in the state told ABC News some hospitals there are ‘nervous.’ Arizona has seen a 49% increase in the same time frame, and an official there said hospitals are ‘definitely strained.’” [ABC News, 6/11/20]

Washington Regional Medical System Chief Operating Officer Birch Wright: “We Are Not Seeing More Hospitalizations Simply Because More Testing Is Being Done.”

  • Northwest Arkansas’ surge in covid-19 cases is serious and definitely not just an increase in detected cases because of more testing, the chief operating officer of Washington Regional Medical System said Wednesday. ‘Washington Regional views this as a serious public health emergency,’ says the statement from Birch G. Wright, chief operating officer and administrator for Washington Regional. ‘It is important for our community to understand that we are not seeing more hospitalizations simply because more testing is being done,’ he said. ‘We are seeing more hospitalizations because more people in our area are being infected with the virus.’” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 6/11/20]

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Serious Outbreak In Progress, Hospital Administrator Says

Florida

On June 10, Florida Saw Its Largest Increase Of Coronavirus Cases On Record.

  • “Thursday saw the largest increase in reported coronavirus cases on record in Florida; June 4 previously held the record for the largest increase in cases standing at 1,419 newly reported infections.” [News 6 WKMG, 6/11/20]

Seminole County Medical Director Dr. Todd Husty Said Of Florida’s Spike In Cases: “This Is A Big Deal. And It’s Getting Worse.”

 

  • “Seminole County Medical Director Dr. Todd Husty also spoke during the news conference and implored residents to be respectful and smart by continuing to wear face masks, saying that the COVID-19 virus is an opportunistic predator. ‘This is a big deal. And it’s getting worse. We were so close to zero. Close. And then we started opening up, which we should,’ Husty said.” [News 6 WKMG, 6/11/20] 

 

News 6 WKMG: ‘It’s Getting Worse:’ Florida Reports 1,698 New COVID-19 Infections As Health Officials Sound The Alarm

Georgia

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Georgia’s COVID-19 Hospitalization Numbers Increase Again As State Reports 752 New Cases

  • “For the second straight day, current hospitalizations saw an increase in Georgia. Cases in Columbus’ Muscogee County have nearly doubled over the past month, while Middle Georgia sees only steady increases.” [Columbus Ledger Enquirer, 6/9/20]

Mississippi

Mississippi’s Statewide Hospitalization Trend Has Increased By About 3.5 Percent Over The Past Couple Weeks.

  • “In Mississippi, the statewide hospitalization trend has increased by about 3.5% over the past couple weeks, daily state-released data shows. Tim Moore, president and CEO of the Mississippi Hospital Association, told ABC News that hospitalization is growing at a higher rate — about 5% to 8% — in more highly populated areas, and said the hospitals are monitoring a surge cases and hospitalization regionally.” [ABC News, 6/11/20]

Mississippi Experienced A 17 Percent Increase In Hospitalizations Between Memorial Day And June 9.

  • “Mississippi has reported 18,109 cases since the pandemic begin. On Tuesday, it recorded 671 hospitalizations, a new daily high. It has seen an 17 percent increase in hospitalizations since Memorial Day, with 573 reported on May 25.” [Washington Post, 6/9/20]

North Carolina

North Carolina Has Seen A More Than 20 Percent Increase In Hospitalizations In The State Since May 26.

  • “North Carolina has seen a more than 20% increase in hospitalizations in the state since May 26, according to ABC News’ analysis — an increase that appears to coincides with the state’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 opening.” [ABC News, 6/11/20]

A North Carolina Hospital Association Spokesperson Noted That Its Members “Feel The Increase In Hospitalizations Coincides With North Carolina Reopening For Business.”

  • “Cynthia Charles, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Hospital Association, which represents 135 hospitals and healthcare systems, said its members ‘feel the increase in hospitalizations coincides with North Carolina reopening for business.’” [ABC News, 6/11/20]

South Carolina

South Carolina Has Experienced A 10 Percent Increase In Hospitalizations And Hit A New Record High On Monday June 8.

  • “South Carolina has experienced a 10% increase in hospitalizations, but it hit a new record high in the state on Monday. The state reported 507 hospitalizations, the highest number since previous total of 502 occupied beds on May 8, according to the state health department.” [ABC News, 6/11/20]

12 Counties In South Carolina Have Reached 75 Percent Of Hospital Capacity Or Greater.

  • “In South Carolina, hospitalizations sharply increased Monday. In that 24-hour span, there were 30 new hospitalizations, or a 6 percent jump, for a total of 507 covid-19 patients. With the current spike, 12 counties in South Carolina have reached 75 percent of hospital capacity or greater, according to the state’s health department.” [Washington Post, 6/9/20]

WJCL: ‘It’s Serious’: South Carolina Sees Worst Spike In COVID-19 Cases Since Pandemic Began

  • “The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced Wednesday 528 new cases of COVID-19 and 7 additional deaths. This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 15,759 and those who have died to 575. ‘The hot weather is not going to kill it,’ said Gov. Henry McMaster. ‘We have to be careful.’ McMaster and other state leaders said recent numbers have been the worst for the state since the pandemic began in March.” [WJCL, 6/10/20]

Tennessee

Tennessee’s Average Daily Increase Of Hospitalization Rose Nearly 64 Percent On Average From Two Weeks Ago.

  • “Tennessee reported a total of 1,974 cumulative hospitalized patients on June 9. The average daily increase of hospitalization in the state rose nearly 64% on average from two weeks ago.” [ABC News, 6/11/20]

WBIR: Sevier County Sees Spike In Active Covid-19 Cases, Two Weeks After Memorial Day Weekend

  • “Two weeks after Memorial Day weekend, Sevier County [Tennessee] saw the biggest spike in coronavirus cases so far. A 50 percent increase from Sunday to Monday, 28 to 42, and even more cases, 29, reported on Tuesday. ‘It was cause for concern,’ Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said. ‘I think we all realized that there could be spikes as we move forward with opening up. I mean we said that from the beginning.’” [WBIR, 6/9/20]

Texas

Texas Hospitalizations Increased By Ten Percent Over The Last Two Weeks.

  • “There has been an increase in the number of new cases in Texas in the past couple weeks, data released by the state’s health department show, while hospitalizations have grown at a slower rate. Hospitalization statewide increased by 10% in the last two weeks.” [ABC News, 6/11/20]

Texas Has Seen A 36 Percent Increase In New Cases Since Memorial Day Weekend.

  • “Texas has reported 75,616 cases since the pandemic began, and in 10 of the past 15 days, the state’s seven-day average of new cases has increased. As of Tuesday, it has reported two consecutive days of record-breaking coronavirus hospitalizations. The state has seen a 36 percent increase in new cases since Memorial Day, with a record 2,056 current hospitalizations as of early Tuesday afternoon. It was up from a high of 1,935 hospitalizations on Monday.” [Washington Post, 6/9/20]

Austin Interim Health Director Dr. Mark Escott Said The Majority Of New Cases Could Be Attributed To Memorial Day Gatherings And Business Reopenings. 

  • “Interim Health Director Dr. Mark Escott said the majority of the new cases can be attributed to Memorial Day gatherings and business reopenings, as well as a drop off in people taking precautions to reduce transmission of the virus. ‘Quite frankly, we also have an increase in risk-taking behavior,’ he said during a news conference. ‘People are less cautious. They’re not wearing masks as much; they’re not social distancing as much.’” [KUT, 6/10/20]

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Texas Sees Record Number Of Patients Hospitalized With Covid-19 For Third Day In A Row

CBS Dallas-Fort Worth: U.S. Coronavirus Cases Top 2 Million As Texas Sees Record Number Of Hospitalizations

KUT: Austin Public Health Blames Reopenings, Memorial Day Socializing For Spike In COVID-19 Cases

Utah

Utah Experienced A 17 Percent Increase In Hospitalizations Over The Past Two Weeks.

  • “Utah has experienced a 17% increase in hospitalizations in the past two weeks. Charla Haley, a spokesperson for the Utah Department of Health, called it ‘statewide spike.’” [ABC News, 6/11/20]

Utah COVID-19 Community Task Force: “We’ve Seen A Spike In COVID-19 cases. It’s Not Explained By More Testing Or Just One Outbreak.”

  • “We’ve seen a spike in COVID-19 cases. It’s not explained by more testing or just one outbreak. Eased restrictions don’t cause increased cases alone–it’s our actions that cause COVID-19 to spread. Keep your distance and wear a mask in public, and stay home if you’re sick.” [Twitter, Utah COVID-19 Community Task Force, 6/9/20]

Salt Lake Tribune: Coronavirus in Utah: This Week Saw A Huge Spike In Cases And An Outbreak At A Meatpacking Plant

  • “From June 1 to June 7, there were 2,269 new cases reported statewide. That number marks a noticeable increase after the 1,405 new cases reported May 25 through May 31. While cases were up statewide, the nine deaths reported during the June 1-7 period were down from 16 reported May 25 through May 31.The spike in positive cases last week means Utah saw one of its worst weeks since the pandemic began gripping the United States in mid-March. Things began trending poorly the week before, when 1,091 new cases were reported between May 28 and May 31.” [Salt Lake Tribune, 6/7/20]