Recent reporting across the country shows a disappointing trend in COVID-19 cases, with almost half the States reporting a rise. twenty one out of fifty states reported a significant rise in positive cases that reach almost ten percent more of
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Governors across the country are responding to the increase in cases in different ways. Some states, like Wisconsin are issuing tighter mandates that require face coverings in public. Other states, like Florida, have moved into Phase 3, reopening restaurants and bars without restrictions, despite a rise in the number of positive cases.
Of the remaining states, only eleven states have seen a decrease in positive COVID cases. The rest of the states have posted numbers at the same level as before, meaning while the virus is still out there and spreading, it has not infected a higher number of people.
Health Officials Issue Surge Warning
With the onset of fall and winter, flu season is just around the corner and a real concern in regards to COVID-19. Health officials are issuing warnings about a potential surge in positive cases due to people being indoors and in closer proximity to each other during this time of year.
Public health officials are issuing warnings to communities to remain vigilant, and avoid complacency when it comes to cleanliness, masking, and maintaining a safe social distance from individuals. Regular hand washing, avoiding crowds and group gatherings, and statewide mandates that support public health are all critical to helping slow the spread of the disease.
The higher transmission rate is expected to occur as early as October, and then surge in November and December with the start of flu season. Data coming in, including this latest set of numbers, is right on target with all the current models being used by health department officials. Current data is reporting over seven hundred deaths per day from COVID-19, but models suggest that along with positive cases, the daily death toll will rise to around three thousand deaths per day by the time we are in flu season.
Coronavirus Death Continue to Rise
As of this week, there have now been two hundred thousands deaths from Coronavirus in the United States. The pandemic has hit the entire world, but the infection and death toll in the United States has been significantly higher. Globally, the death toll is about to hit one million. In addition to the high death toll, infected rates have passed seven million in the country.
Local Government Restrictions Can Influence Infection Rate
As some states, like New York, tighten restrictions on citizens in an attempt to reduce the rate of transmission, others like Florida lift all mandates in favor of the economy. New York saw a small rise in the number of positive cases, prompting both the governor of New York and the mayor of New York City to address their citizens and with public health reminders.
Meanwhile, the governor of Florida moved the state into Phase 3, which fully reopens business establishments that allowed crowds to gather. In addition to the reopening, the governor made it difficult for individual community officials to set mandates and policies in place to protect their citizens. The governor made this decision based on the economic needs of the state.
Vaccine Development Continues
As the virus spreads around the country and world, there are over thirty five potential vaccines in development, many of them already in the trial phase. Here in the United States, four vaccine trials are in progress and there is potential for a vaccine in the new year.
Still, even with a successful vaccine it will be a while before our daily social lives and the economy return to normal. Every government in the world is invested in working together to develop a vaccine, but only the United States is facing scrutiny over the politicization of vaccine development given the President’s pledge to have a vaccine ready before Election Day.
