The Trump administration’s continued incompetence in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in disastrous consequences: the United States is in the throws of an extended first wave, with cases surging in more than twenty states as the death toll passes that of World War I.
These spikes are not, as the administration has argued, the result of increased testing. They are the result of a premature reopening, championed by President Trump against the advice of experts. And now, rather than face the facts of the situation on the ground, President Trump has decided to restart campaign rallies in some of the very states where outbreaks are the worst – putting his political pride above public health and endangering even his own supporters.
National
The Daily Number Of New Coronavirus Cases Is Climbing In 22 States And Puerto Rico.
- “But as of Saturday, the daily number of new coronavirus cases was climbing in 22 states, shifting course from what had been downward trajectories in many of those places.” [New York Times, 6/14/20]
On June 13, The U.S. Reported The Highest Number Of New Cases Since May 2 As Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas, And Utah Reported Record Hospitalizations.
- “Nationally, there were over 25,000 new cases reported on Saturday, the highest tally for a Saturday since May 2, in part due to a significant increase in testing over the past six weeks. Perhaps more troubling for health officials, many of these states are also seeing record hospitalizations – a metric not affected by increased testing.” [Reuters, 6/14/20]
- “Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas and Utah all had a record number of patients enter the hospital on Saturday. In South Carolina, 69% to 77% of hospital beds are occupied, depending on the region.” [Reuters, 6/14/20]
Most Of The 10 Hardest-Hit States That Have Seen Rising Case Levels Reopened On Or Before May 8.
- “Most of the 10 hardest-hit states that have seen rising case levels started reopening on or before May 8. Louisiana, where cases have started rising again after extended declines, began reopening on May 15. Another hard-hit state with growing cases, California, has reopened in a more incremental way, with continuing restrictions in some regions.” [New York Times, 6/14/20]
In Addition To Increasing Cases, The Percentage Of Positive Tests And Number Of Hospitalizations Indicate A Worsening Outbreak In Sun Belt States.
- “But epidemiologists said that even taking into account a rise in testing, the increase in confirmed cases in Sun Belt states suggested increased transmissions. Other measures, such as the percentage of positive tests and hospitalizations, reflect that worsening outlook. In Florida more than 4.5 percent of those who tested between May 31 and June 6 had the virus, compared with about 2.3 percent of people who sought tests in mid-May. Earlier in the pandemic, the percent of people testing positive in Florida was higher, but that was during a period when testing was far more limited. Similar rates in Arizona and Texas have also risen in recent weeks.” [New York Times, 6/14/20]
Despite Surging Cases, Trump Plans To Hold His First Campaign Rally On Saturday, Even As Health Officials Plead With The Public To Avoid Large Gatherings.
- “Fears that a second wave of infections is happening – or that states failed to curb their first wave – prompted health officials to plead with the public to wear masks and avoid large gatherings. Trump still plans to hold his first campaign rally since early March on Saturday in Tulsa, although those attending will have to agree not to hold the campaign responsible if they contract COVID-19.” [Reuters, 6/14/20]
New York Times: Coronavirus Cases Spike Across Sun Belt as Economy Lurches into Motion
Reuters: Record Spikes In New Coronavirus Cases, Hospitalizations Sweep Parts Of U.S.
Alabama
By June 14, Coronavirus Cases, The Percentage Of Positive Tests, And Hospitalizations Had Hit New Record Highs In Alabama.
- “Like Saturday, Friday and Thursday before it, Sunday set a new record for cases in the state, according to the dashboard, with the 1,014 reported new cases the first time the state has reported an increase of at least 1,000 cases in one day.” [Forbes, 6/14/20]
- “Hospitalizations in the state are also on the rise, as the 7-day average for the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals hit 599 on Saturday—again, a number that is the highest the state’s had since the pandemic started.” [Forbes, 6/14/20]
- “One of the most important metrics for determining if spread is increasing—the percentage of tests coming back positive—is also increasing rapidly. Sunday brought the 7-day daily average for positive tests to 13.39%, according to the Reporter—the highest number since mid-April, and almost doubling the 7.78% 7-day average positive rate reported last Sunday.” [Forbes, 6/14/20]
Al.com: For First Time, Alabama Added 1,000-Plus Coronavirus Cases In A Day
Forbes: Alabama’s Coronavirus Cases Are Skyrocketing, Breaking Records For 4 Straight Days
ABC 33/40: Coronavirus Cases In Alabama Still Rising Following Record High In Hospitalizations
Arizona
The Weekly Average Of Daily Cases In Arizona Has Nearly Tripled From Two Weeks Ago.
- “Arizona has emerged as one of the country’s newest coronavirus hot spots, with the weekly average of daily cases nearly tripling from two weeks ago. The total number of people hospitalized is climbing, too.” [NPR, 6/14/20]
Two Weeks After Reopening, The Percentage Of Positive Cases In Arizona Increased From 5 Percent To 12 Percent Of Tests.
- “Before Arizona lifted its stay-at-home order, only about 5% of COVID-19 tests registered as positive. Two weeks later, that number was around 12%.” [NPR, 6/14/20]
University Of Arizona Epidemiologist: “We Never Had That Consistent Downward Trend That Would Signal It’s Time To Reopen And We Have Everything In Place To Do It Safely.”
- “Public health experts agree: the timing of this spike reflects the state’s reopening. ‘Perhaps, Arizona will be a warning sign to other areas,’ said Katherine Ellingson, an epidemiologist at the University of Arizona. ‘We never had that consistent downward trend that would signal it’s time to reopen and we have everything in place to do it safely.’” [NPR, 6/14/20]
Baylor National School Of Tropical Medicine Dean Dr. Peter Hotez: “We’re Seeing People Pile Into Intensive Care Units.”
- “’It was just open it up and then more or less business as usual, with a little bit of window dressing,’ said Hotez, the dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. ‘This is not an abstract number of cases. We’re seeing people pile into intensive care units.’” [NPR, 6/14/20]
NPR: Health Experts Link Rise In Arizona Coronavirus Cases To End Of Stay-At-Home Order
Associated Press: Arizona Governor Won’t Require Masks in Public Despite Surge in Coronavirus Cases
Arkansas
On June 12, Arkansas Reported Its Highest Daily Spike In New Coronavirus Cases, A 6.8 Percent Increase From The Day Before.
- “Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said on Friday that the state reported 731 new coronavirus cases since Thursday, the largest daily jump since the outbreak began. The newly reported cases represent a near 6.8% increase compared to Thursday as outbreaks continue across the state, bringing the total to at least 11,547. Hutchinson said 207 of those cases were reported at state correctional facilities. Its previous highest daily jump in cases was just over 450 in mid-May, according to a graph Hutchinson presented at a press briefing.” [CNBC, 6/12/20]
Since June 7, Washington Regional Medical Center In Fayetteville Has Experienced A 350 Percent Increase In Coronavirus Hospitalizations.
- “In the past week, Wright said, Washington Regional had seen a 170 percent increase in the number of tests performed at screening clinics, and a 350 percent increase in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Of those, it also saw more critically ill virus patients, with more than 30 percent of those who’d been hospitalized requiring ventilator support… But even with those stats coming from the state health department and local hospitals, this week, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the state will move forward with Phase 2 of lifting its restrictions on businesses—like restaurants, schools, and gyms—on Monday, June 15.” [Daily Beast, 6/14/20]
CNBC: Arkansas Reports Its Highest Daily Spike In New Coronavirus Cases, Numbers Expected To Grow
The Daily Beast: ‘All of a Sudden It Blows Up’: Arkansas’ COVID Problem Is Just Getting Started
Florida
The Number Of New Coronavirus Cases Has Topped 1,000 For All But One Of The Past Seven Days.
- “In Florida, the number of new coronavirus cases has topped 1,000 for all but one of the past seven days. Most of the state began to reopen on May 4, though South Florida is still under tighter restrictions. Miami’s beaches only reopened on Wednesday.” [New York Times, 6/14/20]
On June 12, Florida Reported Their Biggest Single-Day Increase In New Coronavirus Cases, a 3.6 Percent Increase From The Day Before.
- “Florida reported its biggest single-day increase in new cases since the state began releasing its reports once a day on April 25. New cases rose to 73,552 on Saturday, up 3.6% from a day earlier and well above the average increase of 2.1% in the previous seven days. Deaths among Florida residents reached 2,925, a 1.7% increase.” [Bloomberg, 6/13/20]
- “The records come as the state continued its phased reopening during the coronavirus pandemic. Most of the state is now in Phase 2 of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan, which allowed bars, movie theaters and tattoo parlors to reopen on June 5 with restrictions.” [ABC News, 6/14/20]
NPR: Florida And S.C. Report New Spikes In Coronavirus Cases
- Florida reported nearly 1,700 new cases Thursday morning — ‘the biggest jump since March,’ as NPR member station WLRN reported. Hours after the state published that data, Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his plan to reopen schools in August, urging local governments to aim for ‘full capacity’ when they resume classes. ‘As you’re testing more, you’re going to find more cases,’ DeSantis said when asked about the high number. ‘We’re doing 30,000-plus tests a day.’ But some public health experts said the current rise in cases in many U.S. states is the result of community transmission, not a boost in testing. As he discussed Florida’s numbers, DeSantis added, ‘We also do have … outbreaks in agricultural communities,’ saying the coronavirus has spread rapidly in some rural areas.” [NPR, 6/11/20]
ABC News: Florida Sees 2 Consecutive Days Of 2,000-plus New COVID-19 Cases As More Beaches Reopen
Orlando Weekly: Amid Florida’s Biggest Coronavirus Spike, Some Central Florida Businesses Close Their Doors After Guests And Staff Test Positive
Georgia
Since The End Of May, New Cases Reported Weekly Have More Than Quadrupled In Gwinnett County, Georgia.
- “The number of new cases of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus reported in Gwinnett each week is rising, but that’s not the only figure causing concern for local health officials. There were 733 new cases reported in Gwinnett in a one-week span from June 1 to June 8. By comparison, there were just 149 new cases reported in Gwinnett during the week ending May 18. Since then, there have been three consecutive weeks where the new number of new cases was either nearly or more than 600 cases a week. Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale health district director Dr. Audrey Arona said some of that can be attributed to the addition of another testing site in Lilburn in May, but she also said there’s another number that has spiked on some days lately: daily positivity rates.” [Gwinnett Daily Post, 6/14/20]
Gwinnett Daily Post: New COVID-19 Cases On The Rise In Gwinnett As Daily Positivity Rates Climb
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Gwinnett Now Has More Coronavirus Cases Than Anywhere Else In Georgia
Missouri
The Rate Of New Coronavirus Cases In Kansas City, MO Has Increased Every Week Since May 10.
- “Data show that COVID-19 is continuing to spread and could be on an upswing in Kansas City, according to the head of the city’s health department. The rate of new cases has increased every week since May 10, according to city health department data, reaching an average of 52 new cases reported per day for the week ending on Friday.” [KCUR, 6/12/20]
- “In a statement this week, the health department said the increasing numbers were due to both increased testing and additional outbreaks. Kansas City now has a total of 1,581 confirmed cases. Other health officials caution that recent spikes and upticks do not, in fact, represent a ‘second wave’ of coronavirus spread but merely a continuation of the first wave that hit the U.S. in the spring.” [KCUR, 6/12/20]
Kansas City Star: New COVID-19 Cases Rise By More Than 100 In KC Metro For Third Consecutive Day
North Carolina
On June 13, Coronavirus Hospitalizations Saw Another Record High In North Carolina While The Rate Of Positive Tests Was Among The Highest In The Country.
- “The number of those in the state hospitalized for COVID-19 jumped by 63 on Saturday to 823, which tops the previous record of 812 set on Thursday, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said… North Carolina’s [positive test] rate remains among the highest in the country, said Dr. Mandy Cohen… The disease is growing through communal spread, she said, and linked the increase to the past two to three weeks. ‘It’s very much linked to when we started reopening,’ she said. North Carolina began its first phase of reopening on May 8. The second phase started May 22.” [News & Observer, 6/13/20]
WSOC Charlotte: CDC Points To NC, SC For Having Surges In New Coronavirus Cases
Raleigh News & Observer: North Carolina Coronavirus Hospitalizations Set Record; Spike Linked To Reopening
Oklahoma
On June 12, Oklahoma Reached A New Peak In Daily Coronavirus Cases Increases.
- “State health officials on Friday reported 222 new cases of COVID-19, marking a new peak in daily increases for both the state and Tulsa County. The triple-digit spike brought the total confirmed number of infections to 7,848 since early March. The daily report from the Oklahoma State Department of Health provided no information that might explain the increase.” [Tulsa World, 6/13/20]
KOKH: Oklahoma Sees Largest Single Day Number Of Coronavirus Cases
KFOR: OSDH: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Increase In Oklahoma
South Carolina
By June 13, 69 To 77 Percent Of Hospital Beds Were Occupied In South Carolina, Depending On The Region.
- “Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas and Utah all had a record number of patients enter the hospital on Saturday. In South Carolina, 69% to 77% of hospital beds are occupied, depending on the region.” [Reuters, 6/14/20]
South Carolina State Epidemiologist: “For The Past Two Weeks, We’ve Seen Some Of Our Highest Daily Numbers Of Cases Since The Pandemic Began.”
- “South Carolina was among the last states to issue a stay-at-home order. Then, on May 4, it was among the first to reopen. Six weeks after that reopening, it has the dubious distinction of being among the 22 states where new coronavirus cases are on the rise, an ABC News analysis of New York Times’ data found. ‘For the past two weeks, we’ve seen some of our highest daily numbers of cases since the pandemic began,’ Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist, said at a Wednesday news conference. Hotspots in the state include Greenville, Lexington and Richland, according to Bell.” [ABC News, 6/14/20]
On June 13, South Carolina Recorded Their Highest Number Of New Cases For The Fourth Consecutive Day.
- “South Carolina reported its highest number of new cases for a fourth consecutive day on Saturday as Alabama and Florida documented their highest numbers for a third day in a row. South Carolina counted 785 new cases on Saturday, the highest one-day increase recorded since the coronavirus pandemic struck the state, according to data from The New York Times. Friday’s report had 729 new cases, while Thursday’s saw 682 and Wednesday’s counted 531.” [The Hill, 6/14/20]
The Hill: South Carolina Counts Highest Number Of New Cases For Fourth Consecutive Day
Texas
On June 14, Texas Recorded Their Highest Number Of Hospitalizations For The Fourth Time In The Previous Five Days.
- “The number of people in Texas hospitalized from the coronavirus hit a record high of 2,287 on Sunday, an increase from the previous record of 2,242 cases on Saturday. The state has continued to move forward with its reopening plan, with restaurants being allowed to increase capacity to 75% and almost all businesses allowed to operate with 50% capacity on Friday.” [CBS News, 6/14/20]
- “What is happening at United Memorial is playing out in hospitals across Texas. On Friday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized climbed to 2,166, up more than 150 from just the day before. In fact, Texas has set a new record for overall COVID-19 hospitalizations in four of the last five days, according to the Department of State Health Services.” [Houston Chronicle, 6/13/20]
The Rolling Average Of Confirmed Or Suspected COVID-19 Patients In ICU Beds In Texas Has Increased 20 Percent Since May 27.
- “That kind of acceleration is worrying health officials. In the Houston region during the past two weeks, the rolling average of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients in ICU beds has jumped 20 percent — from 274 on May 27 to 330 on Wednesday, according to the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council, which coordinates the region’s emergency response to disasters.” [Houston Chronicle, 6/13/20]
The Average Of New Coronavirus Cases Per Day In Texas Has Doubled Since May 27.
- “And the number of people testing positive is also on the rise. The rolling average of new cases per day in Texas reached 1,716 on Thursday, almost doubling from May 27. In Harris County, the number of new cases reached 323 on Thursday, up from 207 on May 27, the SETRAC data showed.” [Houston Chronicle, 6/13/20]
CNBC: Texas Reports Record-Breaking Coronavirus Hospitalizations, The Sixth New High In A Week
Utah
On June 14, Utah Set A Record For Active Coronavirus Hospitalizations.
- “While no new deaths were reported, Utah saw an increase of 332 positive COVID-19 cases Sunday, according to the Utah Department of Health, and the state set a record for active hospitalizations at 137.” [Salt Lake Tribune, 6/14/20]
Utah Is Experiencing Their Highest Active Coronavirus Case Rate Since The Beginning Of The Pandemic.
- “Sunday ended a week in which the state saw the outbreak worsen as cases rose by 2,247 and 18 more people died. Overall, Utah has had 14,313 people contract the coronavirus, and of those, 5,922 are estimated to be battling the disease. That is the highest active case rate the state has seen, rising nearly 1,000 cases in the week. In all, the disease has killed 139 Utahns.” [Salt Lake Tribune, 6/14/20]
Salt Lake Tribune: Coronavirus in Utah: Cities From Logan To St. George Hit Hard, As Average Cases Topped 300 For The Whole Week
Salt Lake Tribune: Robert Gehrke: Utah Is At A COVID-19 Tipping Point. Things Could Get Much Worse If We Don’t Step Up Now.
Wyoming
Wyoming Public Media: Wyoming Coronavirus Related Deaths Rise As State Reopens, More Deaths Expected
- Wyoming Researcher Christine Porter: “There’s no question that with people, both by their own decisions and by policy, emerging from staying at home, cases do appear to be increasing.” [Wyoming Public Media, 6/12/20]