Coronavirus USA news summary, Friday 31 July
Coronavirus live US: latest news - 31 July
USA coronavirus latest: 15:25 PT / 18:25 ET (00:25 CEST on Saturday 1 August)
According to the latest figures published by Johns Hopkins University, 17,422,252 cases have been detected worldwide, with 675,584 deaths and 10,207,744 people recovered.
In the US, there have been 4,542,620 confirmed cases and 152,940 deaths, with 1,414,155 people recovered from the virus.
Scroll through some of the recent coronavirus-related articles:
Watch: Trump takes part in roundtable
US President Donald Trump is in Florida to take part in a roundtable on the country's coronavirus response and storm preparedness. You can watch it here:
Inadequate shutdowns to blame for high Covid-19 numbers in US
Dr Anthony Fauci, the United States' top infectious disease expert, has said at a House hearing today that America's high coronavirus case count has been caused by the fact that shutdowns in some parts of the country were not sufficiently comprehensive.
During the House select subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis, Dr Fauci bemoaned the US federal government’s decision to leave individual states to decide on the scope of the lockdowns they put in place, Politico has reported.
“There were some states that did it very well, and there were some states did not," he said.
Stimulus check: Trump's 'way higher' payment not included in HEROES or HEALS proposals
Trump's 'way higher' stimulus check payment not included in HEROES or HEALS proposals
The U.S. president said he would like to see a second round of stimulus checks increased from $1,200 but current proposals do not include any such plan.
Full story:
$1,000 stimulus check: how much money would go to children and how much to adults?
$1,000 stimulus check: how much money would go to children and how much to adults?
On Thursday, a group of Republican senators proposed sending out $1,000 payments per individual amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Full story:
Protests as tenants face eviction
Renters facing risk of eviction and their supporters take part in a protest in Los Angeles as they demand developer Geoffrey Palmer cancel their rent. As the United States grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, a potentially devastating eviction crisis may soon be underway. Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment gathered to protest on Friday to spotlight developer Palmer's alleged acquisition of approximately $350,000 to $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, demanding he cancel rent for tenants.
(Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
$600 unemployment benefits boost: update on extension talks
$600 unemployment benefits boost: update on extension talks
As negotiations continue over the next coronavirus relief package in the US, a scheme giving Americans expanded unemployment benefits expires on Friday.
Full details:
WHO reports another record daily increase in cases
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Friday, with the total rising by 292,527.
The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily report. The four countries have dominated global headlines with large outbreaks.
The previous WHO record for new cases was 284,196 on 24 July.
Deaths rose by 6,812 on Friday, and have averaged 5,200 a day in July, up from an average of 4,600 a day in June.
(Text: Reuters)
Fauci believes vaccine will be developed by end of year
Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testifies during a House subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis hearing on a national plan to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Friday.
Fauci, who is a member of the White House coronavirus task force, told the hearing that he is confident a vaccine against Covid-19 will be developed by the end of 2020. "I don't think it's dreaming," he said, per Politico, adding: "I believe it's a reality."
(Photo: Erin Scott / Pool / AFP)
Impact of Covid-19 "will be felt for decades", says WHO chief
The global coronavirus pandemic is the sort of disaster whose effects will last far into the future, World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday.
"The pandemic is a once-in-a-century health crisis, the effects of which will be felt for decades to come," Tedros told a meeting of the WHO's emergency committee, according to remarks released by the agency.
Although knowledge about the new virus has advanced, many questions remained unanswered and populations remain vulnerable, Tedros added.
"Early results from serology (antibody) studies are painting a consistent picture: most of the world’s people remain susceptible to this virus, even in areas that have experienced severe outbreaks," he said.
"Many countries that believed they were past the worst are now grappling with new outbreaks. Some that were less affected in the earliest weeks are now seeing escalating numbers of cases and deaths."
(Text: Reuters)
Florida reports record increase in COVID-19 deaths for fourth day in a row
Florida reported a record increase in new COVID-19 deaths for a fourth day in a row on Friday, with 257 fatalities in the last 24 hours, according to the state health department.
In numerical terms, the loss of life is roughly equivalent to the number of passengers on a single-aisle airplane.
Florida also reported 9,007 new cases, bringing its total infections to over 470,000, the second highest in the country behind California. Florida's total death toll rose to nearly 7,000, the eighth highest in the nation, according to a Reuters tally.
U.S. consumer spending rises for second straight month, income drops further
U.S. consumer spending increased for a second straight month in June, setting up consumption for a rebound in the third quarter, though the recovery could be limited by a resurgence in COVID-19 cases and the end of expanded unemployment benefits.
The Commerce Department said on Friday that consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, rose 5.6% last month after a record 8.5% jump in May as more businesses reopened. Consumers stepped up purchases of clothing and footwear. They also spent more on healthcare, dining out and on hotel and motel accommodation.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast consumer spending would advance 5.5% in June. When adjusted for inflation, consumer spending increased 5.2% last month after surging 8.4% in May.
What are the differences between the second and first stimulus check?
What are the differences between the second and first stimulus check?
After the CARES Act was introduced in March this year, a new HEALS Act has been proposed by the Republican party as an effort to boost the hard-hit American economy.
Trump planning for U.S. rollout of coronavirus vaccine falling short, officials warn
As scientists and pharmaceutical companies work at breakneck speed to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, public health officials and senior U.S. lawmakers are sounding alarms about the Trump administration's lack of planning for its nationwide distribution.
The federal government traditionally plays a principal role in funding and overseeing the manufacturing and distribution of new vaccines, which often draw on scarce ingredients and need to be made, stored and transported carefully.
There won't be enough vaccine for all 330 million Americans right away, so the government also has a role in deciding who gets it first, and in educating a vaccine-wary public about its potential life saving merits.
Right now, it is unclear who in Washington is in charge of oversight, much less any critical details, some state health officials and members of Congress told Reuters.
Fauci to testify before U.S. House COVID-19 panel after being blocked by White House
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, will testify on Friday before a coronavirus subcommittee in Congress, weeks after President Donald Trump's administration first refused to let him address the panel.
Fauci's testimony comes at the end of a week when the pandemic's tragic toll on the country has become far clearer.
The United States on Wednesday experienced its 150,000th death from the disease -- more than any other country -- and data on Thursday showing a deep economic plunge.
Democrats said the Trump administration initially prevented Fauci from testifying to the panel by saying he was unavailable for the entire month of July and relented only after House Majority Whip James Clyburn wrote to Vice President Mike Pence.
A veteran of six Republican and Democratic administrations, Fauci has become the most familiar face of the administration's coronavirus task force.
U.S. government to launch 'overwhelming' COVID-19 vaccine campaign by November
The Trump administration anticipates launching a far-reaching promotions campaign by November to encourage Americans to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, contingent on evidence that a successful vaccine will be available roughly by year end, a senior administration official said.
The campaign will likely be compressed into a short period of time, around four to six weeks, to eliminate any lag between when Americans are alerted to the vaccine and then they can get vaccinated, the official said during a press conference.
"The fine line we are walking is getting the American people very excited about vaccines and missing expectations versus having a bunch of vaccines in the warehouse and not as many people want to get it," the official said.
NBA action returns as LeBron sinks winning hoop as Lakers edge Clippers
Every person present at HP Fieldhouse on the ESPN Wide World of Sports campus near Orlando knelt during the national anthem before the first game of the NBA's restarted season on Thursday night.
In the most attractive match-up of the evening, LeBron James followed his own miss and made the winning shot with 12.8 seconds left as the Los Angeles Lakers earned a 103-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday in the restart of the NBA season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando.
Anthony Davis scored 34 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Lakers, and James finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. James struggled on 6-of-19 shooting.
Kyle Kuzma added 16 points for the first-place Lakers (50-14), who increased their lead to 6 1/2 games over the second-place Clippers (44-21) in the Western Conference standings.
First coronavirus positive pet dog in US dies: report
A German shepherd, 'Buddy', which was the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection in a pet dog in the US has died in New York, according to a report.
Bill gates criticises US response to coronavirus
In stark contrast to rhetoric coming from the White House, Bill Gates has said that the US had far from the best response to the coronavirus...
U.S. economy shrinks by 32.9%
The U.S. economy shrank by 32.9% between April and June, the sharpest fall the nation has experienced since World War II.
With the economy in dire straits and his approvals ratings falling, President Donald Trump has suggested calls for a delay in November's election, a scenario that has been rejected by both Democrats and Republicans.
This is the testimony of a doctor in Houston, Texas. He recounts his daily life against the coronavirus
Trump likely to address U.N. in person in September, says U.N. envoy
U.S. President Donald Trump hopes to address the U.N. General Assembly in person in September, his U.N. envoy said on Thursday, while all other world leaders will send videos instead of traveling to New York amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The annual high-level gathering had been shaping up to be a weeklong celebration of the 75th anniversary of the world body, but U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres suggested in May that leaders send video statements due to likely travel issues.
The 193-member General Assembly agreed last week to the special measures, which allow one - possibly two - New York-based representatives for each country to be in the General Assembly hall for the speeches.
"We're hoping that President Trump will actually be speaking in person in the General Assembly. He will be the only world leader to be speaking in person," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft told the Meridian International diplomacy think tank.
Buddy, the first dog to test positive for Covid-19 in the US has died
Buddy, a seven-year-old German shepherd from Staten Island, New York, was the first dog to test positive for the coronavirus in the United States. He died on July 11 after a three-month illness, according to National Geographic.
It's unclear whether Buddy died from Covid-19 complications, which he most likely caught from his owner, Robert Mahoney, who tested positive this spring, or whether he died from lymphoma.
First week-over-week decrease in new Covid-19 cases since early June
The United States. saw the first week-over-week decrease in new Covid-19 cases since early June, The COVID Tracking Project reported on Thursday. The number of new cases fell by nearly 20,000, from 468,000 last week to 448,198, this week, the data project found.
Second stimulus check: Trump hints at increase on $1,200 CARES payment
Trump hints at increase on $1,200 CARES payment
The U.S. president said during an interview that a second round of stimulus check payments "may go higher" than the initial amount under the CARES Act.
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Trump says Florida's Covid-19 cases going are down as state breaks death record
Republican President Donald Trump said Florida Covid-19 case numbers are going down even though the state just projected its highest-ever daily toll of deaths. "The numbers are coming down and coming down very substantially. They're starting to come down in Florida," Trump said. On Wednesday, Florida set a new single-day record with 216 deaths from the virus.
Trump added that numbers for coronavirus cases were also starting to come down in Arizona and Texas.
Trump says he doesn't want to delay 2020 election; but worried about mail-in ballots
Hours after suggesting a possible delay in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he did not want to postpone the vote, but remained concerned that millions of mail-in ballots would cause problems.
"I want an election and a result, much, much more than you," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I don't want to delay. I want to have the election. But I also don't want to have to wait three months and then find out that the ballots are all missing, and the election doesn't mean anything."
Trump cited recent media reports about potential problems with mail-in ballots arriving late and said it could take weeks, months or even years to sort it out. "Do I want to see a date change? No, but I don't want to see a crooked election," he said.
'Breaking Bad' star Bryan Cranston says he has recovered from Covid-19
Emmy-winning 'Breaking Bad' star Bryan Cranston disclosed on Thursday that he had recovered from mild symptoms of Covid-19 and donated his plasma in the hopes that his antibodies would help others with the disease.
Wearing a face mask, Cranston revealed the news in an Instagram video in which he documented the donation process at a blood and plasma center run by the University of California at Los Angeles. Cranston said he had experienced mild symptoms including a slight headache, tightness in the chest and loss of his sense of taste and smell.
"I was one of the lucky ones," Cranston wrote. "I count my blessings and urge you to keep wearing the damn mask, keep washing your hands, and stay socially distant."
Cranston won multiple Emmy Awards his role as a meth-making chemistry teacher on TV drama 'Breaking Bad' from 2008 to 2013.
Coronavirus live United States updates: welcome
Hello and welcome to our live, US-focused coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, which has now registered over 17.1 million cases and close to 670,000 deaths worldwide, according to figures by Johns Hopkins University.