US cases hit record total 55,000 a day

WASHINGTON: The United States reported more than 55,000 new Covid19 cases yesterday, a daily global record for the coronavirus pandemic, as infections rose in a majority of states.

A surge in cases over the past week has put President Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis under the microscope and led several governors to halt plans to reopen their states after strict lockdowns.

The daily US tally stood at 55,274 yesterday afternoon, topping the previous singleday record of 54,771 set by Brazil on June 19.

Coronavirus cases are rising in 37 out of 50 US states including Florida, which confirmed more than 10,000 new cases yesterday. That exceeded singleday tallies from any European country at the height of the outbreak there.

In California, another epicentre, positive tests climbed 37% and hospital admissions were up 56% over the past two weeks.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican who has previously resisted calls to make face masks mandatory, on Thursday ordered them to be worn in all counties with more than 20 Covid19 cases. Texas yesterday had nearly 8000 new cases.

The US has now recorded nearly 129,000 deaths.

The wave of new cases has several governors halting plans to reopen their states after months of strict lockdowns.

‘‘We are still in the first wave of this crisis. It requires some level of personal responsibility,’’ California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said.

The sweeping business shutdowns earlier in the pandemic devastated the US economy and threw millions of Americans out of work, leaving governors reluctant to take such draconian steps again.

A US Labour Department report out yesterday showed the reopenings had a dramatic impact on hiring, with the United States creating jobs at a record pace in June. However, employment remains 14.7 million jobs below prepandemic levels.

‘‘Today’s announcement proves that our economy is roaring back,’’ Trump told reporters at the White House.

But the latest data assembled by Federal Reserve officials, economists and private companies suggests economic activity stalled in recent days during new clampdowns.

‘‘More than ever, we’re concerned about the worsening health situation and its impact on the burgeoning recovery,’’ Oxford Economics analyst Gregory Daco wrote.

Joe Biden, Trump’s expected election rival in November, slammed him yesterday.

‘‘Quit claiming victory with almost 15 million Americans still out of work because of the crisis. Quit ignoring the reality of this pandemic and the horrifying loss of American life,’’ Biden said in a campaign speech. — Reuters