'Serious problem': States roll back coronavirus reopen amid record number of cases
Two US states have reversed its course to reopen after the coronavirus shutdown.
Texas and Florida clamped down on bars again in the nation’s biggest retreat yet as the daily number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in the US surged to an all-time high of 40,000.
Top government expert Anthony Fauci warned on Friday (local time) the country was facing a "serious problem" from a resurgence of coronavirus cases as Texas and Florida ordered bars to stop serving alcohol.
The two populous southern states, home to some 50 million people, were spared the worst of the outbreak in spring, but are now being battered.
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Health experts have said a disturbingly large number of cases are being seen among young people who are going out again, often without wearing masks or observing other social-distancing rules.
“It is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said.
Mr Abbott had pursued up to now one of the most aggressive reopening schedules of any governor.
The Republican not only resisted calls to order masks be worn, but also refused until last week to let local governments take such measures.
But the strategy has backfired. The state saw a record 5,596 new coronavirus cases on Thursday (local time), a major jump from 10 days ago when it had 1,254 new cases in a day.
As a result, bars will be required to close but may provide delivery and take-out.
Restaurants can remain open with 50 per cent capacity indoors and outdoor gatherings of 100 people or more require local government approval.
About 600 coronavirus deaths per day in the US
Meanwhile Florida reported a record 8,942 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday (local time), as well as 39 new deaths and 212 additional hospitalisations.
"We got into June and COVID kind of fell off the headlines," Governor Ron DeSantis told reporters.
"I think people were naturally just wanting to get back into a normal swing of things."
Colleen Corbett, a 30-year-old bartender at two places in Tampa, said she was disappointed and worried about being unemployed again, but the restrictions were the right move.
Most customers were not wearing masks, she said.
“It was like they forgot there was a pandemic or just stopped caring,” Ms Corbett said.
Deaths from the coronavirus in the US are running at about 600 per day, down from a peak of about 2,200 in mid-April.
Some experts have expressed doubt that deaths will return to that level because of advances in treatment and prevention and because younger adults are more likely than older ones to survive.
with AP and AFP
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