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US SEES 70,000 NEW CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS FOR SECOND DAY IN A ROW

Flims
  • The U.S. reported more than 70,000 new coronavirus infections for second day in a row, as of Saturday.
  • New cases are increasing in nearly all 50 states.
  • 19 states hit their own record highs in average daily new cases.

The U.S. reported 71,558 new Covid-19 cases Saturday, making it the second day in a row the nation seen more than 70,000 new infections, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

As of Saturday, average daily new cases have increased 18.34% nationwide compared to one week ago, according to a CNBC analysis of Johns Hopkins’ data. 

The U.S. leads the world in reported cases with a total of 3.66 million total since Covid-19 hit. To date, 139,480 deaths from the virus have been reported in the U.S., the most fatalities of any nation in the world. 

Nineteen states hit their own record highs in average daily new cases, with most seeing a more than 25% increase. As nearly all 50 states see increases in new cases, hospitalizations are growing in 33 states with 14 states hitting record highs in average current hospitalizations.

Florida and Texas each reported more than 10,000 new cases Saturday, according to data from their state health departments. Twelve percent of Floridians tested for the virus came back positive, down from a recent high of 18%. More than 17% of Texans tested came back positive for the virus as of Thursday.

Texas and Florida are major centers of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. The virus has surged since the spring after states in the Sunbelt started rapidly reopening their economies after brief lockdowns. Last Sunday, Florida reported more than 15,000 new cases, higher than New York at its peak of 10,824 new cases on April 9. 

Deaths are also trending upward in several states. Arizona, Florida and Texas saw average daily fatalities from the virus increase more than 50% to record highs, according to CNBC’s analysis of Johns Hopkins’ data. South Carolina saw average daily fatalities increase more than 22% to a new record for the state.

FEMA is sending 18 refrigerated trucks to act as temporary mortuaries in Texas as the state orders more body bags in preparation for a spike in deaths. 

The U.S. hit a nationwide record for new cases on Thursday, with 77,255 new cases. White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci on Friday praised New York for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, amid a debate in the U.S. about whether states where the virus is surging should revert to stricter lockdown measures. 

New York, once the epicenter of the outbreak in the United States, has reduced daily new infections from more than 10,000 at its peak to 776 as of this late this week. New York City is scheduled to enter phase 4 on Monday, allowing outdoor activities like zoos, outdoor films and gardens.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo implemented one of the strictest lockdowns in the country. Bars and indoor dining still haven’t reopened in New York City as a precautionary measure. Governors in hotspot states like Arizona, Florida, Texas and Georgia have been reluctant to implement strict social distancing measures.