Daily Mail reports that 22 US states are now dealing with an uprising in coronavirus brought about by mass protests and the easing off on lockdown protocols. So far, Arizona had COVID-19 cases increase by more than 90 percent in just one week, while Utah and Arkansas cases shot up higher than 60 percent.
Subsequently, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Florida's cases went up by more than 40 percent in comparison to the week before. On the other hand, Michigan's cases went up more than 150 percent in the previous week as the state included nearly 5,000 probable coronavirus cases.
Since the start of the George Floyd protests, health experts have already warned many about the possibility of a new wave of the coronavirus. According to the latest forecast, about 145, 728 American will die by August 4, which is far more than the initially predicted number of 140,496 on June 5.
The new estimated number was released on the same day Texas state reported its topmost number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19, and the 22 states displayed increases in new confirmed coronavirus cases.
How are US States Coping with the Coronavirus?
In the first week of June, the nationwide number of new coronavirus infections increased by three percent. An analysis reveals that it had been the first increase after five weeks of declines.
Even though all states have partially reopened, only 16 states, together with the District of Columbia met the CDC's criteria for 14 days of descending new cases in the last week. New York and Pennsylvania led the list garnering eight consecutive weeks of declining numbers.
Many states have inclined to COVID-19 testing in recent weeks. Furthermore, a record 545,000 tests were reported across the US in a single day last week.
On a national scale, the rate of positive tests has lingered between four to seven percent for several weeks.
Additionally, it has been reported that at least 28 states are currently not complying with CDC recommendations to include probable cases in their total count of coronavirus infections. Probable infections are considered when a person displays symptoms of COVID-19 without the confirmation of a lab test.
Among the states not including probable cases in their tallies are California, Texas, New York, and Florida. However, the CDC's reporting directions for COVID-19 are only voluntary.
The Danger of Protests
As pervasive protests continue across the US brought about by George Floyd's death in Minneapolis, health officials say they are keeping an eye on the potential spread of the coronavirus.
Thousands of Americans and many people all over the world jammed the streets in the past weeks to protest amidst social distancing guidelines. The White House coronavirus task force is now scurrying to track the potential burdens on infection rates.
Public health officials have since then been warning the public that the widespread protests could ignite new transmissions of coronavirus. The close proximity of protesters and non-compliance with health protocols could greatly affect the probability of transmission.
On Sunday, the CDC said it was meticulously monitoring the nationwide protests for any probable COVID-19 outbreaks.
Also Read: Fears Over Coronavirus Second Wave Spark Following George Floyd Protests
