Coronavirus USA live news summary for Sunday July 5th
Coronavirus live USA: latest Covid-19 news - Sunday 5 July
US coronavirus latest: 15:00 PT / 18:00 ET on Sunday 5 July (00:00 CEST)
According to the latest figures published by John Hopkins University, 11,365,572 cases have been detected worldwide, with 532,644 deaths and 6,154,138 people recovered.
In the USA, there have been 2,874,396 confirmed cases and 129,870 deaths, with 906,763 people recovered from the virus.
Covid-19 crisis could have negative effect on birth rate
Some might expect the USA is due for another baby boom after couples nationwide had an abundance of alone time. However, a spike in birth control requests may make a coronavirus baby boom unlikely, USA Today reports.
Digital health clinic Nurx said it's seen a 50% increase in patient requests for birth control and a 40% increase in emergency contraception requests. The company serves more than 250,000 patients.
US vaccine poll results "concerning", says FDA commissioner
US Food and Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn has told ABC’s This Week that a recent poll showing many people in the United States would refuse a coronavirus vaccine is “concerning”.
An ABC News/Washington Post survey this week revealed that 15% of Americans would definitely not accept a vaccine, while 12% probably wouldn’t agree to have it. The poll found that, of this 27% of respondents, half said they don’t trust vaccines, while almost a quarter felt they wouldn’t need it.
“It is a sizable number,” Hahn said on Sunday, “and it is concerning. And, of course, the issue of vaccines in this country has been around for a number of years.”
Too soon to say if safe to hold Republican convention in Florida
A top Trump administration health official said on Sunday it was not clear whether it will be safe to hold the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville next month, as Florida sees record numbers of coronavirus cases. Stephen Hahn, the Food and Drug Administration commissioner, also refused to confirm President Donald Trump's claim that 99% of coronavirus cases were harmless and called the situation a "serious problem."
With record numbers of people testing positive for the virus in Jacksonville and across Florida, Hahn was asked if it would be safe to hold the typically large RNC gathering in just seven weeks. "I think it's too early to tell," Hahn said on CNN's 'State of the Union' program. "We will have to see how this unfolds in Florida and elsewhere around the country."
Coronavirus management under scrutiny
Donald Trump may want to point to other perceived 'enemies' but as cases grow and more people die, the questions will continue to be asked.
Health conditions not helped by air pollution
As states begin to hit their peak wildfire season, experts and officials are warning about another level of concern this year: air pollution that threatens to increase Covid-19 in states already struggling with an explosion in cases.
How a Covid-19 contact tracer spends her Sundays
Kimberly Jocelyn is at her computer on the weekends, but she forces herself to take breaks for fresh air and video calls with friends.
Masks required on nudist beaches
At some clothing-optional destinations, masks aren’t optional, presenting issues with tan lines and logistics.
The WSJ looks at the importance of leaving one thing on.
Kanye West announces he would run for president in 2020
Kanye West announces he would run for president in 2020: (full story)
The American rapper has been a vocal supporter of US President Donald Trump, and has now suggested he'll throw his hat into the ring against Trump and Joe Biden.
Fireworks light up New York skyline in 4th of July celebrations
Fireworks are launched from the Empire State Building as part of the annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks on July 4, 2020 in New York City. This is the final night of July 4th firework displays in locations around the city that are kept secret in an attempt to minimize crowds gathering in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
(photo:Cindy Ord/Getty Images/AFP)
Rapper Kanye West announces U.S. presidential bid on Twitter
American rapper Kanye West, a vocal supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, announced on Saturday that he would run for president in 2020 in an apparent challenge to Trump and his presumptive Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.
"We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States," West wrote in a Twitter post.
45,300 new daily cases reported in US
Johns Hopkins University counted 45,300 new coronavirus infections in the US on Saturday a reduction after three days in which the daily count reached as high as 54,500 new cases.
MLS forced to postpone Vancouver-Dallas game due to positive Covid-19 tests
The Vancouver Whitecaps' opening match against FC Dallas at the MLS Is Back Tournament has been postponed as the Canadian side's departure for the Orlando-based competition was delayed after two inconclusive COVID-19 tests, the league said on Saturday.
Vancouver were originally scheduled to arrive in Orlando on July 1 ahead of their July 9 group stage match against Dallas, but the game will be played on a date still to be determined, MLS said in a statement.
According to MLS, the subsequent test results were confirmed to be negative and Vancouver will depart for Orlando on Monday.
"The later match date will allow both teams additional training days in Orlando in advance of their first match," the statement said.
Earlier this week Dallas said six of their players due to compete in the spectator-free tournament at the Walt Disney World Resort tested positive for COVID-19.
All 26 MLS teams will congregate at Disney World for a World Cup-style tournament that will be played from July 8-Aug. 11.
Defending the US coronavirus surge
In case you missed it, President Trump's White House address aimed to redirect attention away from the current Covid-19 crisis.
If Covid-19 is not disappearing anytime soon...
...we are going to have to learn to live with it safely.
Global debt management
A look at the wave of debt that is following in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Vaccine development in the UK
Across the pond in Britain they are close to agreeing a 500 million pound ($624 million) supply deal with Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline for 60 million doses of their potential Covid-19 vaccine, the Sunday Times reported.
The newspaper said that Britain was considering taking an option to buy the vaccine should it work in human trials, which are due to begin in September.
Freeman among four Braves to test positive for virus
Four-time All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman is one of four members of the Atlanta Braves to test positive for the coronavirus, manager Brian Snitker announced Saturday.
Relief pitchers Will Smith and Touki Toussaint as well as shortstop Pete Kozma have all tested positive for Covid-19, per Snitker. Snitker said the 30-year-old Freeman is battling a fever and it could be 'a while' before he returns.
He batted .295 last season while recording career highs in homers (38) and RBIs (121).
Trump repeats vow to defeat 'radical left' in 4th July speech
On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to defeat the 'radical left' in an Independence Day speech at the White House, condemning recent efforts to remove or rethink monuments to historical figures as attempts to destroy the United States.
Trump claimed without evidence that 99% of cases in the United States were "totally harmless." In fact, many U.S. states marked a record number of new Covid-19 cases. While criticism mounted over his handling of the pandemic, Trump said China must be 'held accountable' for failing to contain the disease.
Second stimulus check: when could it be approved, when would I get it?
Second stimulus check: when could it be approved, when would I get it?
US President Donald Trump has stated his support for a second coronavirus Economic Impact Payment, more commonly known as a stimulus check.
More information here:
Coronavirus: Trump approves 5-week PPP extension for small business loan applications
Trump signs off PPP extension for small business loan applications
President Donald Trump on Saturday signed off a deadline extension to 8 August for small businesses to apply for relief loans under the PPP aid program.
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New York Yankees pair LeMahieu and Cessa test positive for Covid-19
New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu and right-hander Luis Cessa have tested positive for Covid-19 and have been isolating away from the team, the club announced on Saturday. "We are hopeful (their absence) will be a short time but they are not here at this point, so we'll see how that continues to unfold over the next several days," Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
According to Boone, both players tested positive before arriving to New York. Boone said LeMahieu was asymptomatic while Cessa has mild symptoms. Saturday was the club's first official workout at Yankee Stadium as clubs renew preparations for the 2020 season. MLB was in the middle of spring training when the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports. Opening Day was originally scheduled for March 26. The season will now begin July 23 or 24.
Florida in crisis
The state of Florida set a new record for coronavirus infections; more than 11,000 in a single day.
Ivanka Trump shares bucking bronco video on 4th
President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump celebrated 4th July by posting a video of a cowboy riding a bucking horse on Twitter... with the caption, "Happy 4th of July! God Bless the U.S.A!"
Florida records new single-day record
Florida's confirmed coronavirus cases rose by a record 11,458 on Saturday, the state's health department said, the second time in three days that its caseload increased by more than 10,000. In just the first four days of July, 14 states have posted a daily record increase in cases of Covid-19.
The recent surge, most pronounced in southern and western states, has alarmed public health officials, who urged caution ahead of the holiday weekend to celebrate the Declaration of Independence of the United States in 1776. Florida's record rise in cases was more than any European country's daily peak at the height of the outbreak there.
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alaska, Missouri, Idaho and Alabama all registered new daily highs on Friday, while Texas hit a new peak for hospitalizations. The daily U.S. tally of cases stood at 53,483 late on Friday, below the previous day's record 55,405. Despite the jump in infections, the average daily death toll in the United States has gradually declined in recent weeks, a reflection of the growing proportion of positive tests among younger, healthier people who are less prone to severe outcomes.
Coronavirus: the complete guide to the Covid-19 pandemic
Your complete guide to the Coronavirus pandemic
Read more here:
Hello and welcome to our live, rolling coverage of the coronavirus in the United States
Almost 11 million people globally have contracted the disease according to official figures, and well over half a million have lost their lives to the virus since it started to spread globally at the beginning of the year.
In the US, the first wave was believed to be over but that is obviously not the case. Texas, Florida, Arizona and California have seen a resurgence in new cases and record numbers of hospitalisations reaffirming fears that a second wave is a very real possibility.