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Coronavirus USA news summary for 9 July: cases, deaths, news and stimulus checks

Update:
Live coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States: breaking news, updates and statistics as they emerge throughout today.

Coronavirus live US: latest Covid-19 news - 9 July

USA

US coronavirus latest: 13:30 PT and 16:30 ET on Thursday 9 July (22:30 CEST)

According to the latest figures published by John Hopkins University,12,128,406 cases have been detected worldwide, with 551,522 deaths and 6,650,675people recovered.

In the USA, there have been 3,088,193 confirmed cases and 132,934 deaths, with 953,420 people recovered from the virus.

Global cases go over 12 million

According to numbers compiled by Johns Hopkins University the total number people worldwide confirmed to have been infected with Covid-19 is now over 12 million. In reality, because many people who have had the virus were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms and were never tested the real number of people who have been infected with the novel coronavirus will be far higher. 

The number of confirmed cases is triple that of severe influenza illnesses recorded annually. 

From the initial cases being recorded in China in January it took 149 days to reach six million cases. It has taken just 39 days to reach 12 million cases from that point. 

The death toll now stands at over 550,000. 6.6 million people have recovered from the virus.

WHO on aerosol transmission

Here's what the WHO have to say in their Q&A on aerosols. More investigation needed.

"Some medical procedures can produce very small droplets (called aerosolized droplet nuclei or aerosols) that are able to stay suspended in the air for longer periods of time. When such medical procedures are conducted on people infected with COVID-19 in health facilities, these aerosols can contain the COVID-19 virus. These aerosols may potentially be inhaled by others if they are not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.  Therefore, it is essential that all health workers performing these medical procedures take specific airborne protection measures, including using appropriate personal protective equipment. Visitors should not be permitted in areas where such medical procedures are being performed.

There have been reported outbreaks of COVID-19 in some closed settings, such as restaurants, nightclubs, places of worship or places of work where people may be shouting, talking, or singing.  In these outbreaks, aerosol transmission, particularly in these indoor locations where there are crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected persons spend long periods of time with others, cannot be ruled out.  More studies are urgently needed to investigate such instances and assess their significance for transmission of COVID-19." [Bold added]

WHO releases brief on transmission of Covid-19

The WHO's guidance updated to say that, while more research is needed, "short-range aerosol transmission, particularly in specific indoor locations, such as crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces over a prolonged period of time with infected persons cannot be ruled out."

A group of scientists wrote to the WHO arguing that aerosols likely can spread the disease, as opposed to just larger droplets than cannot travel far through the air.

On-going grind of the pandemic

"One of the big misconceptions is that we enjoy being right", says one of the epidemiologists interviewed, "we'd be very happy to be wrong, because it would mean lives are being saved."

Front-line doctors are clearly under terrible pressure, but there are others suffering too.

 

Trump

Supreme Court rules against Trump on handing over tax returns

Not coronavirus news, but the decision from the Supreme Court is important because it's already got President Trump tweeting furiously about it. Whether that, in reality, is distracting him from working hard to solve the Covid-19 crisis, is another question...

White House press sec pushes for reopening of schools

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany has pushed for America’s schools to reopen despite concerns about the spread of the coronavirus in classrooms.

We believe they should absolutely reopen,” McEnany told a press conference on Thursday, adding: “Children are at very low risk."

She also said that prolonged school closures will “hurt students with fewer resources the most”, and described US president Donald Trump as the "most vocal advocate for reopening".

Deer

A deer feeds next to a bikeway in the Yosemite National Park, California. After closing for two months because of the coronavirus pandemic, the wildlife is taking over areas used by the public.

The park is open with limited services and facilities to those with day-use reservations, reservations for in-park lodging or camping, and wilderness or Half Dome permits.

(Photo: Apu GOMES / AFP)

A breakout might affect a range of issues including a possible second stimulus check.

Most leaders in charge realise the risk that comes with opening schools and have started to admit it won't be business as usual.

Coronavirus USA: When does Trump want schools to reopen?

CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus USA: When does Trump want schools to reopen?

Schools in almost all states have remained closed since the first week of May but now institutions are under pressure to set a date when classes can resume – in spite of the escalating coronavirus crisis in the country. Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a blunt message on his Twitter account, which read: "SCHOOLS MUST OPEN IN THE FALL!!!" However, during a White House event on Tuesday, he insisted that he doesn't want to issue on when schools reopen turn into a political tool which his rivals, i.e. Joe Biden, might use against him in the run-up to the elections.

USA: WHO withdrawal strikes a devastating blow to global health 

As the Trump administration officially begins taking steps to withdraw the USA from the World Health Organization (WHO), Sanhita Ambast, Amnesty International’s Advisor on Economic, Social and Cultural rights, said:

"This is a reckless attempt to undermine the work of the World Health Organization in the midst of a global pandemic. With COVID-19 still tearing through many US states, the Trump administration is using people’s lives as pawns in an ill-conceived political manoeuvre."

Stimulus check: why haven't I received my check yet

CORONAVIRUS

Stimulus check: why haven't I received my check yet

As talk of a second check ramps up, there are still people waiting for the first check.

Second stimulus check: how long could voting be delayed?

CORONAVIRUS

Second stimulus check: how long could voting be delayed?

Some key dates to keep in mind when it comes to the coronavirus stimulus package to be debated by the Senate.

Worrying headlines on USA Today regarding what will encourage societal change.

The Florida Democratic Party announced late Wednesday that it was returning at least $780,000 in small-business loans after its own lawmakers criticized the acceptance of the money as highly questionable if not illegal and unethical.

Some CEOs decline White House dinner for Mexican president amid coronavirus surge

The White House CEO dinner on Wednesday evening with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his delegation had some notable absences among corporate invitees - one because of a positive coronavirus test.

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday morning, after he experienced a fever and a cough, and was not attending the dinner, a spokeswoman for the trade group said.

The 52-guest dinner, in the White House's East Room, was the most prominent state-level social event hosted by the Trump administration since coronavirus lockdowns began in March. It came as several states reported record new COVID-19 cases, the United States crosses 130,000 deaths, and New Jersey on Wednesday ordered face masks to be worn in public.

President Donald Trump has declined to wear a mask in public and his administration has shunned nationwide guidance on their use, leaving it up to states and local authorities despite increasing calls for mask use from within his own Republican Party.

The surge in cases has been put down to increased testing, which may play a role, but hiding behind that forgets the fact that states re-opened even when the virus was not yet under control.

Coronavirus USA: When does Trump want schools to reopen?

CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus USA: When does Trump want schools to reopen?

When does Trump want schools to reopen?

Read more here:

The fallout from Trump's rally possibly starting to come to light.

U.S. coronavirus cases rise to over 59,000, setting single-day record

The United States reported more than 59,000 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the biggest increase ever reported by a country in a single day, according to a Reuters tally.

The United States faces a bleak summer as infections surge and many states are forced to close bars and popular beaches to try to curb the rise.

In addition to nearly 10,000 new cases in Florida, Texas reported over 9,000 cases and California reported more than 7,800 new infections. California and Texas also each reported a record one-day increase in deaths. 

It was the second day in a row that U.S. deaths climbed by more than 900 in a day, the highest levels seen since early June, according to the tally.

Tennessee, West Virginia and Utah all had record daily increases in new cases, and infections are rising in 42 out of 50 states, according to a Reuters analysis of cases for the past two weeks compared with the prior two weeks.

Trump is playing with the lives of millions for the sake of reelection and getting the economy back in shape before people cast their votes.

 

Tom Hanks sends message regarding coronavirus

The renowned actor assured that he has no respect for those people who decide not to wear masks to prevent COVID-19 infections.

 

You could have coronavirus and not know it

This testimony has impacted social networks and shows how you could have coronavirus without having realized it before.

 

Coronavirus update

Heartburn medications may be related to risk of getting coronavirus

Global Covid-19 cases pass 12 million

Global coronavirus cases exceeded 12 million on Wednesday, as evidence mounts of the airborne spread of the disease that has killed more than half a million people in seven months.

Trump rally 'likely contributed' to surge in cases

The FT has a look at the influence of the president's recent rally to the spread of Covid-19.

Related:

Joe Biden's plans for his 2020 presidential election rallies

Trump rallies for the 2020 presidential elections

Worrying news from Houston

Grief over Covid-19 deaths may be particularly severe and long-lasting

The New Scientist on psychiatrists reporting that the grieving process over the loss of loved ones to the coronavirus may be particularly severe, in part because the bereaved are suffering additional stresses and the normal rituals of death can't be observed. 

It's too soon to know though if there will be a wave of prolonged grief disorder cases, because it takes six months to diagnose. The good news: there are treatments, including talking therapy. 

Vaccine thread

Worth checking out if you missed it yesterday. TL;DR: vaccines promising, monoclonal antibody therapy very exciting, but the fall is going to be really bad before these come on line. Oh, and everyone says wear a mask. 

pop

Pop up drive in theater in Boston

Watching films and staying very socially distanced. In the photo a youth watches 'Moana' from atop a car in the parking lot of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston.

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department along with the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment are showing double features on select Wednesdays in July free to the public.

The Ivy League cancels sport in the fall

“The campus policies make it impractical for competition to occur, at least through the end of the fall semester,” executive director Robin Harris told ESPN. “It’s certainly the right decision for the Ivy League, but it’s difficult," Harris admitted.

 

Covid-19 is causing a national coin shortage in the US

Coronavirus

Covid-19 is causing a national coin shortage in the US

Side effects of a pandemic

Some of the ripple effects of Covid-19 are hard to predict.

Our hospitals are filling up very quickly

 

42 Florida hospitals have no ICU beds available

That's down from 56 on Tuesday, however 54 have less than 10% capacity available. 
 

In-depth look at how to reopen schools

It's a pretty extensive document, but covers a lot of ground. Worth a look if you're a concerned parent, or involved in education.

The Tweet Governor Newsom was talking about

See below.

Gavin Newsom: schools will open when it's safe to do so

California governor Gavin Newsom says schools in the state will open when it's safe. Saying he wasn't bothered about the "latest tweets" in reference to President Trump's comments on the social media site, Newsom said, "We need to address safely reopening schools. That to me is non-negotiable."

Newsom also made it clear that public behaviour will make a difference: "“We can just roll over and accept the spread and transmission with behaviors that have led to this, or we can do more to practice personal responsibilities with face coverings and masks and physical distancing that will mitigate the spread.”

Los Angeles County sees soaring number of cases

The average daily case count is up 84% in a month, from 1,300 to nearly 2,500.

 

37 American football players and staff test positive at University of North Carolina

The University has suspended the football's voluntary workout program after the positive tests for Covid-19. 429 people were tested, with 12% being infected.

It's a fair point

"It’s killing people"

In an interview with NBC’s Today Show, Hollywood actor Tom Hanks had some choice word for people who do not take steps to protect themselves and others from the spread of the coronavirus.

"Look, there’s no law against ignorance," Hanks said. “It’s not illegal to have opinions that are wrong. But there is a darkness on the edge of town here folks, and let’s not confuse the fact: it's killing people.”

"We don’t know what’s going to happen with Covid-19. The idea of doing one’s part, though, should be so simple: wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands," Hanks added.

"That alone means you are contributing to the betterment of your house, your work, your town, your society as a whole. And it’s such a small thing."

Hanks and his wide, fellow actor Rita Wilson, have both recovered from Covid-19 after testing positive in Australia in March. "We felt rotten," he said. "I had body aches - crippling, cracking body aches."

No benefit from hydroxychloroquine

1,500 people with Covid-19 got the drug, 3,000 got standard care, the difference in death rate was not statistically significant. So no benefit, but hydroxychloroquine has some pretty nasty side effects.

First Covid-19 vaccine will be like the flu shot, with about 40-60% effectiveness

The first Covid-19 vaccine may be no more effective than seasonal flu vaccines, according to experts.

Billy joe

Texas restarts executions

Talking of Texas, the state is  set to execute Billy Joe Wardlow, ending a five-month halt to executions due to the coronavirus crisis. Wardlow, 45, was convicted of murdering 82-year-old Carl Cole in Cason during a 1993 robbery. 

His attorneys have filed an 11th-hour appeal with the US Supreme Court.

TExas

Texas sees highest number of Covid-19 deaths in a single day

There were 98 coronavirus-related deaths on Wednesday, the highest single-day number of fatalities in the state since the start of the pandemic. There were nearly 10,000 new cases of Covid-19 in the state, taking the total to 220,564.
 

Hello and welcome to our live, rolling coverage of the coronavirus in the United States

On Wednesday the total number of cases in the US went past the three million mark, as the pandemic continues to affect the country unabated. 

Although the number of cases continue to rise rapidly the death rate has not followed the same curve, although some experts warn that this may be due to a time-lag given that testing is now happening earlier for many people infected with the disease. 

Texas, Florida, Arizona and California have seen a resurgence in new cases and record numbers of hospitalisations.