Daily US Times: As more Covid-19 records get broken in the US, debates on whether to send kids back to school or to shut down the economy again are coming to a head in the country.
Last week due to Covid-19, more than 1,000 people died every day for four straight days. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, that brings the total US death toll from the virus to more than 146,000 as of Sunday.
According to an ensemble forecast published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers project up to 175,000 deaths linked to the virus by August 15.
As the cases and death toll have been rising, experts are also urging government to shut down the country.
With overwhelmed hospitals and lengthy delays in testing, some local leaders — including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner — said a second stay-at-home order might be possible.
That kind of drastic measure is supported by more than 150 prominent scientists, teachers, medical experts, nurses and other experts who signed a letter urging leaders to shut down the country and start over to contain the rampant spread of the virus.
The letter reads: “Right now, we are on a path to lose more than 200,000 American lives by November 1st. Yet, in many states, people can drink in bars, get a haircut, eat inside a restaurant, get a tattoo, get a massage, and do myriad other normal, pleasant, but non-essential activities.” It was sent to the Trump administration, members of Congress and state governors.
As the US death toll and caseload climbs, at least four states reported record-breaking numbers since Friday.
California is leading the nation with the most recorded coronavirus cases. The state has reported 159 deaths linked to the virus Friday — the highest number recorded in a single day since the start of the pandemic. More than half of all virus-related deaths in California come from Los Angeles County, where more than 4,260 deaths have been reported. According to Johns Hopkins, the state has had more than 446,450 reported infections.
Georgia reported at least 4,813 new coronavirus cases on Friday, breaking a new single-day record. Health officials reported 3,787 new cases Saturday. Johns Hopkins data shows more than 165,180 people have tested positive in the state.
On Friday, the state of Oregon reported nine new coronavirus-related deaths, breaking its record for most reported fatalities in a single day since the pandemic began. The state’s health officials reported 396 new cases, bringing the state’s total to more than 16,100.
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