US states reimpose virus controls
Nation records biggest one-day case hike; India tops 500,000 cases
AUSTIN (AP) — Reversing course, two of America’s largest states reinstated some coronavirus restrictions in the nation’s biggest retreat yet, as the daily number of confirmed infections surged to an all-time high of 45,300 on Friday.
In Asia, a large increase pushed India’s cumulative cases over the half-million mark, the fourth highest globally behind the United States, Brazil and Russia.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered all bars closed, while Florida banned alcohol at such establishments. They joined a small but growing number of states that are either backtracking or putting any further reopening of their economies on hold because of a comeback by the virus, mostly in the country’s south and west.
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 socialdistancing rules.
“It is clear that the rise in cases is largely driven by certain types of activities, including Texans congregating in bars,” Abbott said.
The Republican governor, who had pursued one of the most aggressive reopening schedules of any state, also scaled back restaurant capacity and said outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people would need approval from local officials.
Mayor Carlos Gimenez in Florida’s Miami-Dade county on Friday night announced that he would close beaches over the Fourth of July weekend. Gimenez said cracking down on recreational activities is prudent, given the growing number of infections among young adults.
The Indian city of Gauhati, the capital of Assam, will be locked down for two weeks from midnight today with night curfews and weekend lockdowns in the rest of the state.
India added 18,552 cases in the past 24 hours, raising its total to 508,953. The death toll reached 15,685.
Meanwhile, China saw an uptick in cases, one day after authorities said they expect an outbreak in Beijing to be brought under control in the near future.
The National Health Commission reported 17 new cases in the nation’s capital – the most in a week – among 21 nationwide.